Callahan finds scoring touch
Ryan Callahan skates with the puck during the first period. (Feb. 9, 2012) Credit: Errol Anderson
PHILADELPHIA -- After scoring his second career hat trick Saturday -- following Thursday night's goal against the Lightning -- Rangers captain Ryan Callahan was asked what sparked his recent scoring surge.
Artem Anisimov piped up from a few seats down in the locker room: "Pregame skate."
Callahan, who has 21 goals, laughed. "On Thursday morning, I skated in the optional [practice in Westchester]. First one of the year, and I get four goals in two games. So the guys have been giving me the business about it."
Bickel moves forwardRookie defenseman Stu Bickel played 4:08 at right wing in place of Ruslan Fedotenko, who did not make the trip after taking a hit to the jaw from Lightning forward Dominic Moore in the third period Thursday night.
Bickel scrapped with Tom Sestito while the referees were holding on to them 8:01 into the first period, and each received a 10-minute misconduct. Sestito also got four minutes for roughing while Bickel got only two minutes, and the Rangers scored on the ensuing power play for a 1-0 lead. "He played a little [at forward] in junior," coach John Tortorella said of Bickel. "He just wants to play. He did a good job."
Giroux beats HenrikHenrik Lundqvist stopped Claude Giroux's first shot on the breakaway goal that tied it at 2 in the second period, but the puck went across the line after Giroux tried to score on the rebound. "He didn't hit the puck again, he just pushed my arm in," Lundqvist said. "I should have just swept it away."
Blue notes
The Rangers improved to 18-7-3 on the road. The teams finish the season series in Philadelphia on April 3.
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