Rangers prevent third period collapse, defeat Coyotes 5-2

October 26, 9:31 PMNew York Rangers ExaminerRob Cristino

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  Lundqvist made 30 saves in the Rangers' 5-2 win (AP Photo).

The New York Rangers slowly saw their 4-0 lead diminish, after allowing two late second period goals, but recovered in the third period to maintain their lead and preserve the victory.

The Rangers prevented what would have been a devastating collapse and more importantly, ended their three-game slide in the process.

Though the Coyotes outplayed the Rangers for a majority of Monday night's game, it was the quality of shots, not quantity, that mattered most.

The Coyotes outshot the Rangers by a total of 32-24; however, Henrik Lundqvist was the difference. Lundqvist stopped 30-of-32 shots, making some tough saves to help the Rangers improve to 8-3-1 on the season.

The Rangers built a 2-0 lead after one period by scoring two goals on just five shots. Artem Anisimov scored the first goal of the game at 2:31 and Marian Gaborik beat Ilya Bryzgalov on the power play at 13:09.

In the second, the Rangers added two goals in the span of 1:41, to chase Bryzgalov from the game;  Bryzgalov gave up four goals on 11 shots. Vinny Prospal scored his fourth goal of the season, while Gaborik netted his second of the game. Former-Ranger Jason LaBarbera then gave the Coyotes a quick boost, as Phoenix scored two late goals from Ed Jovanovski and Vernon Fiddler (Fiddler's goal came with just 41.0 second remaining in the second).

The Rangers stopped the bleeding in the third period, of course, it always helps when Lundqvist is playing a strong game in net. Enver Lisin gave the Rangers some extra insurance with a goal against his former team to seal the win.

NOTE: Marian Gaborik limped off the bench to the locker room midway in the third period. Gaborik had two goals and an assist before leaving the game with what Rangers fans can only hope isn't a serious injury.