Rangers salvage win over Blackhawks in overtime after blowing late two-goal lead

CHICAGO — The feel-good energy the Rangers generated in the past two games partially disappeared in a single period. 

Facing a bottom-dwelling Blackhawks team, the Blueshirts blew a two-goal lead in the final frame before Mika Zibanejad salvaged the team’s good name with a game-winning goal 2:37 into overtime to take a 4-3 victory Friday night at United Center. 

Goalie Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers gave up goals to Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson in the span of 5:21 in the third period to allow the Blackhawks to force overtime and earn a point for the first time since Jan. 19. 

Chicago, which was without prized No. 1 pick Connor Bedard (broken jaw) for the 13th straight game, had lost five in a row entering Friday night’s contest.

During that span, the Blackhawks were shut out three times as they continue to sink further into last place in the NHL. 

Rangers center Mika Zibanejad celebrates his overtime goal in the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Blackhawks. AP The Rangers blew a late lead but came out on top. AP

This game was not only imperative for Shesterkin, who made his first start since wrapping up a tough January, it was crucial for the Rangers to maintain the same level of play against an inferior team. 

For 40 minutes, they did so. When it came down to the final stretch of regulation, however, it all went up in smoke. 

Both teams were on the board less than five minutes into the game with the Blackhawks’ Alex Vlasic striking first while Shesterkin was heavily screened. 

The Rangers answered shortly after following some strong puck movement in the offensive zone.

Jason Dickinson (left) and Nick Foligno (right) of the Blackhawks celebrate after Dickinson’s third-period goal. NHLI via Getty Images

K’Andre Miller’s backhanded feed from the middle of the zone teed up Alexis Lafreniere for a one-timer and his 14th goal of the season. 

And when Blackhawks forward Boris Katchouk lost his skate blade 1:27 later, the Rangers capitalized on the home team’s dysfunction and took their first lead.

The puck popped into Chicago’s zone and Adam Fox pulled up before dishing to Chris Kreider at the side of the net for the easy tap-in. 

The third line of Will Cuylle, Jonny Brodzinski and Kaapo Kakko has been the Rangers’ most consistent line as of late, and the trio generated the club’s crucial 3-1 lead at the 9:02 mark of the second period. 

Igor Shesterkin watches the puck during the first period of the Rangers’ win over the Blackhawks. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

After Kakko carried the puck into the Blackhawks’ zone with authority and put it on net, Cuylle swooped in and just missed it before Brodzinski buried his fourth goal of the season to tie a career high he set with the Kings in 2017-18. 

The Rangers’ power play, which was on an 0-for-11 skid with just 11 shots in the past five games, continued to flail despite earning the first three man-advantage opportunity of the game. 

It had struggled so much that head coach Peter Laviolette sent the second unit out to start the Rangers’ third power play, a rare occurrence that underscores just how little the star-studded first group has been generating.