The St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers met on Thursday night in St. Louis for their second and final game of the season. The Rangers wanted to win the season series with the Blues for the first time since the 2018/19 season. The Blues, meanwhile, were looking for their second win in as many nights. The Rangers came out on top2-1, in extra time. Let’s jump to the summary to see how we got here.
First period
The Rangers dominated the first period. However, it would be the Blues who would earn the only goal of the period. A shot from striker Jonatan Berggren from an odd angle ended up in the net. It was Berggren’s third of the season and first since joining the Blues via waivers.
The Rangers outscored the Blues 10-5 during that span.
Second Period
The Blues took control early in the period but failed to extend their lead. The Rangers would start making a power play of their own shortly after. Unlike their opponent, the Blueshirts took advantage. The equalizer would be Gabe Perreault, who scored his first NHL goal.
Both teams had scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the period, but the goaltenders held firm, sending the game into the third period tied.
The Rangers outscored the Blues 15-10 in that period.
Third Period
After a back-and-forth first half of the third period, the Blues had a big scoring opportunity when Robert Thomas found Pavel Buchnevich right in front of the net. However, goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin got just enough of his glove on the puck, sending it over the net and denying his former teammate the go-ahead.
Related: St. Louis Blues: A Review of the Pavel Buchnevich Trade
The Rangers picked up the pace late in the period. A scramble on net almost led to a goal with less than two minutes remaining, but JT Miller’s shot hit the post. Miller collided with goaltender Jordan Binnington on the play, but since Miller stumbled, it was likely the goal would have counted.
Unfortunately the puck didn’t go in. An extension was needed to decide this one. The Blues outscored the Rangers 11-4 in the third period.
Overtime
The Rangers headed 5-4 into the extra frame in games decided in overtime. Blue-Black came to 0-7.
After the teams traded possessions, the Rangers won a faceoff in the defensive zone and carried the puck to the offensive zone. Miller used several players as a screen for Binnington and made up for his earlier missed opportunity with a winning goal, giving the extra point to the Rangers.
Each team had only one chance in overtime. The Rangers defeated the Blues before the game 30-27.
What’s next?
The Rangers will play an afternoon game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The Blues’ next game is on the road against the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.
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