Avengers: Gaborik, Lundqvist star in 2-1 shootout over Ducks

By Steve ZipayNovember 3, 2011

In an evening that swung between boring hockey, intrigue, injury and a dramatic finish, (and Erik Christensen scored in the shootout after being 0-2 on the season), the Rangers won their second straight at home and get this, are in seventh place in the East with games in hand on all but one of the teams ahead of em.

Not only that, Sean Avery could make his season debut on Saturday on Broadway, against the Canadiens. Wojtek Wolski re-aggravated a groin strain in the first period, opening the gate for the Grate One.

And while the Rangers did not confirm numerous reports of a one-year deal with Swedish defenseman Anton Stralman, it appeared close.

Lots of news tonight....

Some quotes and stats, more from Gaborik and Torts below:

Gaborik was well aware of his travails in shootouts. “My record isn’t that good,” Gaborik said. Rangers coach John Tortorella was specific: “Two for 19”, he said.

Based on Gaborik’s play, not only against the Anaheim Ducks last night, when he was robbed of at least two goals by spectacular saves by Jonas Hiller in regulation, but on the season so far, Tortorella sent him out in the third round of the shootout with a chance to grab two points for the Blueshirts at Madison Square Garden. The tactic worked.

Gaborik’s deciding goal in the 2-1 shootout victory, which was preceded by a snappy series of dekes that confused Hiller, lifted the Rangers to 5-3-3.

“He’s been our best player this year,” said Tortorella, who has been pushing to get more out of the Slovak sniper in the past two seasons. “He’s ready to take the next step. I’m glad for him. I hope it helps him.”

Gaborik, who had an assist for his ninth point and seven shots in the game, said he “had my move before I went…I looked at him (Hiller) and he was kind of challenging me a bit. I’m happy I got a chance and happy I scored. I think it was about time.”

In fact, time seemed to rewind to Oct. 8 in Stockholm, when the Rangers and Ducks battled through 65 minutes, tied at 1. In that second game of the year, Bobby Ryan scored the lone shootout goal for the game-winner.

Last night, with the same two goaltenders, Hiller and Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers turned the tables as Erik Christensen and Gaborik scored and Lundqvist stopped Ryan, who had tied the game with 1:42 left in the second period, in the third round for the win, the Rangers second straight at home.

Lundqvist, who made 27 saves through overtime, including all 15 shots in the third period, also stopped Corey Perry's shootout bid with his glove before Teemu Selanne flipped a high backhander past Lundqvist to tie the extra session at 1 in the second round.

That was the dramatic finish to the evening. There also was intrigue and injury. Jeff Woywitka’s first goal as a Ranger broke a scoreless tie at 17:32. Gaborik passed the puck to the point, where Woywitka’s low blast went off Andrew Gordon’s glove and skidded under Hiller. It was the sixth goal by a Rangers defenseman; the Rangers have 26 overall.

The goal by Woywitka, who was awarded the Broadway fedora afterward as game MVP, came amid reports that the Rangers signed Anton Stralman, a Swedish defenseman who was offered a contract last month. Stralman had 11 goals and 63 assists in 212 games in two seasons with the Maple Leafs and two with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The two would battle for a spot on the third defensive pair.

As expected, based on the previous matchup, the Rangers really pressured the Ducks defensively through two periods. Anaheim had just two shots in the first period, the fewest by a Rangers opponent in any period this year.

And on top of all that, Sean Avery, who cleared waivers Tuesday and practiced yesterday, could dress Saturday against Montreal. Wojtek Wolski, who was appearing in his sixth game, left the bench in the waning minutes of the first with a groin strain and did not return. The injury likely means that No. 16 will make his season debut.