Tonight started out like last game. Rangers played hard, played disciplined, and scored a quick goal. It was not as quick as last game, but the Rangers scored first. After a Jagr turnover in the defensive zone later in the period, Minnesota scored and it all went down hill from there. In the second period Petr Prucha was elbowed by Brent Burns, and it was a free fall from then on. Not only did Minnesota get away with the elbow, the Rangers got called for unsportsmanlike conduct. That lead to a power-play, and Minnesota took the lead 2-1. After that Brandon Dubinsky took a bad penalty from being pressured in the defensive zone. He quickly flipped it into the stands, giving the wild another power-play. That gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead, and superstar Marion Gaborik had the natural hat trick. He was not done by far, as this was the beginning of the highlight reel for him.
Gaborik had a career night. He scored a franchise record 5 goals and also had an assist. The last time that was done to the Rangers was in 1993 by none other than Mario Lemiuex. Bad penalties, and poor play by Henrik Lundqvist lead to this decimation. This is the 4th time in the last 6 starts that Lundqvist has allowed 4 goals or more. He allowed 6 on 18 shots tonight, and was relieved by Steve Valiquette midway through the 3rd period. He prevented a 6, perhaps 7 goal night from Gaborik. He made two stellar saves robbing Gaborik after he scored his 5th.
The Rangers should just throw away the tape from this game. They have not played like this all season. They have to look foward and not behind, as they fly tonight to Denver tomorrow to face the home dominating Colorado Avalanche. The Avs are 13-3 at home this season. They also have a lot of talent to spread around also. Ryan Smyth, Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Paul Stastny, and Wojtek Wolski. The Rangers have to show up tomorrow, or else that will be a mirror image of how tonight was. Also, don't be surprised if Valiquette gets the start.
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