Rangers drop third-straight with 5-4 overtime loss

October 24, 10:16 PMNew York Rangers ExaminerRob Cristino

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Halak made 23 saves on the night (AP Photo).

In Christopher Higgins' first game back in Montreal, after playing with the Canadiens for his entire NHL career, the night couldn't have gone any worse for the former Montreal star.

Higgins, along with Brandon Dubinsky, were both benched in the third period and the overtime period, after playing very poorly during the second (being on the ice for at least one goal each). Higgins took a high-sticking penalty, which the Canadiens converted on and he was also on the ice for the game-tying goal. Dubinsky, on the other hand, had a key turnover in the neutral zone, which led to a Montreal goal (Dubinsky also crashed into Lundqvist, shaking Lundqvist up for a while).

Meanwhile, the Canadiens took it to the New York Rangers and overcame two, two-goal deficits, for their third-straight victory of the season. As the Canadiens seem to be getting their overall game together (5-5-0), the Rangers have now dropped three in a row (after winning seven-straight).

Mike Cammalleri was the star of the night, scoring his third career hat-trick. Cammalleri netted the first goal of the game and it was only fitting that he scored the game-winner, to cap off a four-point night.

The Rangers once again had problems staying out of the penalty box and also turned the puck over too many times, leading to scoring chances for Montreal.

After allowing the first goal of the opening period, the Rangers responded with three unanswered goals (goals from Artem Anisimov, Ales Kotalik, and Matt Gilroy), quickly regaining control of the period.

The second period was the difference maker, though, and really set the tone for the remainder of the game. Marian Gaborik sandwiched a goal in between three Montreal goals in that second, as the Canadiens crept back into the game.

The momentum went back-and-forth, but the Rangers' poor second period is to blame for this loss. There is just no excuse to blow two, two-goal leads.

This was the first game of the season in which the Rangers went into overtime, unfortunately, it ended in a loss for New York.

The Rangers will next play on Monday night against the Phoenix Coyotes at MSG.