New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Cam Talbot's 31 saves helped the New York
Rangers take a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the first game since the
Olympic break for both clubs.
Derick Brassard and Rick Nash scored for the Rangers, who had won five of six
going into the break.
"The guys had a great game and a win is a win," said Nash. "I don't think
anyone expected the game to be this tight, but it was a huge win and two
points."
Peter Regin scored late and Corey Crawford posted 22 saves for the Blackhawks,
who have dropped their past two games.
"I thought we were a little off on our timing and our passing," said Chicago
head coach Joel Quenneville. "They played great defense, but I don't think we
put enough pucks on the net and enough bodies in front of the net."
New York scored halfway through the first period as a turnover in the Chicago
end saw Benoit Pouliot get the puck at the left circle and center it for
Brassard, who followed up his initial shot and buried the rebound for his 12th
of the season.
Talbot made 12 saves in the first then posted seven in the second, with
Crawford stopping all 11 he faced in the middle stanza to keep Chicago down by
one.
Nash provided some insurance with 4:07 to play as he skated down the right
wing and had the puck knocked away. He gathered it in the circle and skated
out to the right circle before picking the corner with a wrister for his 19th
of the season.
Regin scored with 11.6 seconds left to break up Talbot's shutout, and the
Blackhawks nearly tied the game in the final moments as Patrick Kane had a
rebound chance at the right side.
Talbot, though, kept it out with a sliding left pad save and New York held on
for the win.
Game Notes
New York plays at Philadelphia on Saturday ... Chicago hosts Pittsburgh on
Saturday ... New York won both games against Chicago this season, taking a 3-2
win on Jan. 8 in the Windy City.