Rangers defeat Oilers 4-2

November 6, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

The Rangers gave a better effort and were rewarded with a 4-2 win over the Oilers at Rexall Place last night. Former coach Tom Renney watched from the opposite bench next to Pat Quinn as Edmonton dropped another. They’ve been cold lately and it showed.

Perhaps the Rangers got them at the right time. Regardless, they needed this one, especially with Calgary coming up Saturday on HNIC. That should be a very stern test. And Henrik Lundqvist will be back in following a night off, enjoying watching backup Steve Valiquette (26 saves) come away with a ‘W’ against his ex-team.

Instead of doing a full recap, with it being so late here and having to be up at a decent hour for important stuff, we’ll do the nuts and bolts instead.The Rangers played a strong game in front of Vally and finally gave a better effort offensively, registering a season high 39 shots on Nikolai Khabibulin (35 stops), who at least kept his team afloat.

The slumping Ranger power play sprung to life scoring three times in six tries following an 0-for-16 skid. Ryan Callahan (1st in 12), Ales Kotalik and Marian Gaborik all scored. Also, for a second consecutive game, Christopher Higgins got one- this time at even strength off a great pass from Matt Gilroy, who had his third good game in a row. It might have been his best game thus far as he easily could’ve been tabbed one of the 3 Stars but so too did Kotalik, who netted three points (1-2-3).

Gaborik chipped in with a goal and helper while quietly setting up Cally’s. Tell ya. The Big Ticket is something else. Vinny Prospal had an assist and so too did rookie Mike Del Zotto, who made a great pass to Callahan for a perfect redirect. A lot more positive happened in this game. Even if it came against a battered opponent, you don’t get less points.

Hopefully, the Blueshirts can build on it when they visit The Saddledome.