Rangers Lose to Thrashers in 25 seconds 5-3, Nov. 13th '09

Game Highlights:


In a span of 25 seconds the Thrashers took a 2-goal lead in the 2nd and never looked back in what was another hard-fought battle. A wide-open game that reflected the absence of checking presences Chris Drury (concussion) and Brandon Dubinsky (hand), the Thrashers wasted no time in attacking Henrik Lundqvist, scoring behind the Rangers' defense in the opening :19.

I do not feel like the Rangers played particularly poor, especially seeing how they mustered 18 shots against to 5 in the third after relatively equal first and second periods. I feel like Atlanta and New York have very similar game plans - have a cherry-picking sniper lurk near the other team's blue line and always force your own defensive into odd-man rushes. The Thrashers seemed like they executed it just a little bit better.

* Centers Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle were expected to receive more ice time in hopes they would contribute more in the other centers' absences. They both scored a goal!

* Good for Ryan Callahan, dropping the gloves to stick up for himself against Zach Bogosian's borderline charge in the first period.

* The Rangers were in the box 8 times. That equates to at least 16 minutes or one entire period of being short-handed. Not a good way to muster offense.

* Michael Del Zotto (0-2-2), Marian Gaborik (1-1-2), and Ales Kotalik (0-2-2) all put up multi-port performances fo the Rangers.

* Sean Avery, although receiving his first bit of power play time (1:27) in quite a while, seemed to have a couple bad bounces and frustrating play as of late.

* Donald Brashear returned to the line-up tonight for a little over 3 minutes of ice time. Probably spent just as long swinging fists with Atlanta tough-guy Eric Boulton.

* Thrasher Nik Antropov has looked pretty solid as a set-up centerman. Drawing attention to one side and dishing to the slot - such a simple play but so effective.

Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Higgins, Vaclav Prospal Post-Game:


John Tortorella Post-Game: