NYR AV LAF The New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/why-the-rangers-schedule-is-a-gauntlet-in-the-second-half] won 2-0 over the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers-begin-second-half-of-season-with-heavyweight-tilt-against-avalanche] as Jonathan Quick [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/news/rangers-jacob-trouba-suspended-two-games-for-elbowing-pavel-dorofeyev] (31 saves), and Alexander Georgiev (28 saves) put on a goaltending duel at the World's Most Famous Arena. Alexis Lafreniere scored the overtime-winning goal. The team is 12-0 when No. 13 scores this season. The Rangers took two penalties in the opening six minutes of the contest, killing both opportunities off. The intensity picked up when K'Andre Miller slammed Mikko Rantanen to the ice after some pushing and shoving. The Rangers came away with a power play as Zach Parise served the Rantanen roughing penalty but Rantanen was also assessed a cross-check. The Rangers couldn't convert on the powerplay, and shortly after Alexis Lafreniere was assessed a tripping penalty. The video replay displayed Josh Manson tripping Logan O'Connor with his stick. The Avalanche did not convert on the ensuing powerplay opportunity, going 0/3 on the man advantage in the first period. From behind his net Cale Makar set up a break hitting Nathan Mackinnon in stride. With speed, Mackinnon burned through the neutral zone, evaded a check from Miller, and buried the game-opening goal past Quick to put the Avalanche up 1-0. The Rangers and Avalanche continued to skate north and south in a track meet of a second period. Blake Wheeler had the best look at 3:30, where he and Chris Kreider created an in-zone 2-on-1, Georgiev shutting the wickets on a Wheeler backhand attempt. Despite the Rangers pass-first mentality through two frames, the Avalanche led by only five shots at the end of the second period. Artemi Panarin beat Alexander Georgiev at the 8:43 mark of the third period to tie the game 1-1. It was his 31st goal of the season and third from long range this season. Both teams could not get the job done in regulation as sixty minutes expired. In overtime, Alexis Lafreniere took advantage of open ice and ripped home the game-winner to lift the Rangers over the Avalanche 2-1. Up Next: The Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (EST). Lines: Kreider-Zibanejad-Wheeler Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko Vesey-Goodrow-Pitlick Lindgren-Fox Miller-Schneider Jones-Gustafsson Quick Shesterkin Rangers captain Jacob Trouba served the second game of an elbowing suspension he was assessed on Jan. 26. TOP STORIES:
