The Rangers led after the first period but were undone by Joel Armia, who scored a hat trick for Montreal in the Blueshirts' 4-2 home loss Friday night. Defenseman Libor Hajek played 17:35 in his NHL debut. He had two shots and took a holding-the-stick penalty in the second period.
Brendan Lemieux, who was acquired on Monday when the Rangers traded Kevin Hayes to Winnipeg, scored his first goal as a Ranger with 2:32 left. >> Box score
First period:
- 4:41 NYR Vladislav Namestnikov; Assists: Brady Skjei, Kevin Shattenkirk
Second period:
- 7:27 MTL Brendan Gallagher; Assists: Tomas Tatar, Jordie Benn
- 14:38 MTL Joel Armia; Assists: Christian Folin, Victor Mete
Third period:
- 4:24 MTL Joel Armia; Assists: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brett Kulak
- 17:28 NYR Brendan Lemieux; Assists: Jesper Fast, Brady Skjei
- 19:23 MTL Joel Armia (ENG); Assists: Paul Byron, Jeff Petry
Highlights:
What's next:
The Rangers host the Capitals Sunday at 12:30 p.m.