They certainly could’ve made it easier on themselves. But that’s not our team. They like to make us sweat a little bit and cause anxiety. I’m sure Dad, Justin and Mike enjoyed themselves. I came home from scoring a pair of basketball games in Park Slope. Already, I could tell from the radio call of Kenny Albert and Dave Maloney that they came out much sharper. A welcome change for every #TwitterBlueshirt.

Gaborik already put the Rangers ahead before I parked. Fortunately, I caught the replay. A wonderful goal that was started by Michael Del Zotto from behind the net. A great play up ice with Richards and Nash combining to set up Gaborik for a sweet finish. An all around awesome goal that featured our dynamic trio. It was a big night for our top line. Neither Richards nor Nash finished but they found instant chemistry with Gabby. A big positive in their first game together.

Over a couple of minutes later, Gaborik struck again. He converted his second of the game to put the Blueshirts up 2-0. Del Zotto and Marc Staal netted assists. They took a two-goal lead to the dressing room.

The Bruins had already started pushing back. Tough defenseman Adam McQuaid took exception to Brian Boyle taking a shot after the whistle, immediately challenging him. Not shockingly, he got in most of the blows. Boyle just can’t fight. He sucks at it. At least he held on and limited the damage. Besides, we need him on the ice supplying energy and killing penalties.

Off the opening draw in the second, Staal was forced to take down Milan Lucic. How did our D allow him to get behind in 18 seconds? Just awful. The team defense has been atrocious. Sloppy turnovers are leading to undisciplined penalties and goals against.

Boston had no trouble scoring on the power play. Brad Marchand deflected home a shot from 2012 No.1 pick Dougie Hamilton. A great read by a future star who Pierre McGuire gushed over too much. Shut up!

Boosted by it, they began cycling the puck and winning board battles. Henrik Lundqvist was tested more, coming up with some key saves. However, he couldn’t control a Zdeno Chara rebound- allowing Lucic a second opportunity to put home his second. David Krejci tallied the secondary helper.

Encouraging was that the Blueshirts responded the following shift thanks to pickup Taylor Pyatt. Taking the place of a struggling Chris Kreider on the USA unit, he followed up a Derek Stepan shot for his second in two games. Fans will love Taylor’s hustle. He uses his size effectively and will score the dirty goal. Clearly the case here to give our team a 3-2 lead after two.

Early in the third, our team had a great chance to get insurance. They had over a minute two-man advantage but didn’t come close against an aggressive Bruins’ penalty kill. What a waste of a timeout from John Tortorella. You’d think he’d learn by now. It proved costly with Boston coming back to tie it thanks to a sloppy turnover. Greg Campbell stole the puck and fed for Nathan Horton, whose routine wrister eluded Lundqvist. A cruddy goal anyway you slice it.

Nash nearly won it in the final minute, coasting past the Bruins for a breakaway. But a sliding Rask stoned him and then dove on top of a Gabby chance. Rask was tremendous.

The game went to overtime. It didn’t take long for the Great Gabby to end it. He stole an errant pass at the Boston blueline and pushed it ahead for a one-on-one with Rask. After being denied the first time, he batted the puck out of mid-air past the Boston netminder for the Rangers first win.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Marc Staal, NYR (assist, 3 blocked shots, strong D- easily his best)
2nd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (assist, 6 SOG, +2, all over the ice- points in 3 straight)
1st Star-Marian Gaborik, NYR (14th career hat trick incl. OT winner 27 seconds in)