National Hockey League
Montreal 4, NY Rangers 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2019
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Referees: Trevor Hanson, Brad Meier
Linesmen: Devin Berg, Jonny Murray
Attendance: 17334

Joel Armia recorded his first career hat trick and Carey Price made 28 saves as the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Friday night for a split of their four-game road trip.

Brendan Gallagher also scored for the Canadiens, who trailed 1-0 after the first period but rallied for their second straight win after dropping the first two games on the trip. In the mix for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, Montreal has won four of six following an 0-3-1 slide.

Things didn't start well for the Canadiens, as the Rangers' Vladislav Namestnikov deflected a shot from teammate Brady Skjei past a somewhat stunned Price 4:41 into the first. New York had the better of the play early as Montreal seemed lackluster out of the gate.

The Canadiens, though, showed plenty of jump in the middle period. Gallagher evened things with his team-leading 28th goal 7:27 into the period. Then Armia gave them the lead with 5:22 left in the second, after the puck took a strange bounce off the back glass and ended up on his open stick for the conversion.

Armia then gave Montreal a needed cushion 4:29 into the third. But recently acquired Brendan Lemieux made things interesting when he got New York within one with 2:32 left in regulation. However, Armia completed the hat trick with 37 seconds to play for his 10th goal of the season and fourth in two games.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 32 shots for the Rangers, who have dropped three in a row (0-1-2) while in position to miss the playoffs for a second straight season.

Namestnikov has recorded five of his nine goals on the season over the last eight games. He could have had another if not for a sliding, pad save by Price on his one-timer in the second.

Montreal returns home Saturday to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a key matchup of playoff contenders before going on a three-game trip through California. The Rangers, meanwhile, take on the Washington Capitals at home Sunday.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Montreal   NY Rangers
Joel Armia 3 Points Brady Skjei 2
Joel Armia 3 Goals Brendan Lemieux 1
Jordie Benn 1 Assists Brady Skjei 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carey Price .933 Save Percentage Henrik Lundqvist .914
Carey Price 28 Saves Henrik Lundqvist 32
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Montreal 36 4 0-2 2-2 6 28
NY Rangers 30 2 0-2 2-2 16 21
Upcoming Games
  • NY Rangers will play their next game at home against Washington. The Rangers have a W/L % of .321 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Pittsburgh. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .471 after a win and .613 after a loss.