Lafreniere scores in OT to elevate Rangers over Flames 5-4

NEW YORK — Alexis Lafreniere scored 1:37 into additional time and Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves because the New York Rangers beat the Calgary Flames 5-4 on Monday night time.

Lafreniere led a 2-on-1 rush after which tracked down a rebound, beating Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom for his seventh purpose of the season. That ended a frenzied sport that was tied 4 instances and featured a number of fights following large hits — two by Rangers captain Jacob Trouba.

Calgary’s Andrew Mangiapane and Michael Stone scored two minutes aside early within the third interval to offer the Flames a 4-3 lead, however Mika Zibanejad scored his second purpose of the sport — his team-leading twenty fourth — to tie it for the fourth time at 12:55.

Filip Chytil additionally scored twice for the Rangers, who improved to 9-2-3 of their final 14 video games and are 17-4-3 since Dec. 5.

Zibanejad put New York forward 3-2 with 14 seconds left within the second however Mangiapane scored at 6:38 of the third to tie it. The play was reviewed to find out if Mangiapane kicked within the puck together with his skate, however the purpose stood.

Zibanejad’s first purpose got here as he roofed the puck previous Markstrom on the ability play with assists to Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, The help was Panarin’s three hundredth level as a Ranger.

Halak gained his sixth straight and has wins in seven of his final eight appearances.

Chytil opened the scoring at 5:37 of the primary, rifling a excessive shot previous Markstrom. Kaapo Kakko and Adam Fox assisted.

Calgary ahead Blake Coleman tied it at 10:25 of the primary together with his eleventh purpose.

There have been a number of skirmishes within the first as each groups had been enjoying for the primary time since Jan. 27 following the All-Star break.

Trouba tussled with Calgary’s Chris Tanev after the defenseman leveled Flames ahead Dillon Dube with an open-ice examine.

Later within the first, a number of fights ensued after Rangers ahead Sammy Blais drilled Flames ahead Milan Lucic. New York rookie Will Cuylle fought Calgary’s MacKenzie Weegar, and Lucic was assessed an additional two minutes for roughing in opposition to Rangers ahead Jake Leschyshyn.

Chytil put the Rangers forward 2-1 on a breakaway at 2:02 of the second.

The 23-year-old Czech ahead has a career-best 18 objectives and 31 factors this season. He has six objectives in his final 4 video games and 14 factors — 10 objectives — in his final 12 contests.

Calgary’s Tyler Toffoli then tied it at 2 together with his nineteenth purpose on the ability play at 16:45 of the second.

Trouba struck once more with slightly below a minute left within the second, bodychecking Nazem Kadri onerous within the Rangers zone, then combating Dube who rushed to his teammate’s protection. Dube acquired an additional two-minute penalty for instigating, and Zibenejad scored the go-ahead purpose on the following energy play.

NOTES: Zibanejad’s 83rd power-play purpose for the Rangers moved him forward of Phil Esposito and Jean Ratelle right into a tie with Vic Hadfield for sixth place on the franchise record. … Calgary scratched defensemen Dennis Gilbert and Connor Mackey, plus ahead Brett Ritchie. … The Rangers scratched forwards Julien Gauthier and Vitali Kravtsov, plus defenseman Libor Hajek. … The groups meet once more Feb. 18 in Calgary.

Flames: Go to the Detroit Pink Wings on Thursday.

Rangers: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.