NEW YORK (AP) — Frederick Gaudreau scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period and the Minnesota WIld beat the New York Rangers 3-2 Friday night following the jersey retirement ceremony for Henrik Lundqvist.
Kevin Fiala and Mats Zuccarello— a former Ranger — each had a goal and an assist to extend their point streaks to 10 games, and Cam Talbot — a backup to Lundqvist for two seasons — stopped 25 shots for the Wild. Minnesota won for the seventh time in eight games (7-0-1).
Chris Kreider got his NHL-leading 31st goal and Barclay Goodrow also scored for New York, which led 2-0 after one period. Igor Shesterkin had 31 saves. The Rangers have lost two straight after winning nine of 12.
On the go-ahead goal, Gaudreau’s shot eluded Shesterkin at the 1:49 mark of the third for his third goal of the season.
“I just tried to get the shot on goal as quickly as possible and it went in,” Gaudreau said.
The Rangers had a possible tying goal with 1.9 seconds left waved off because of goaltender interference.
“It’s a tough call, a 50-50 call,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. ”It would have loved if it went our way and it didn’t. So we move on.”
The Rangers, who entered the contest with a five-game winning home streak, initially rose to the occasion following the stirring pregame ceremony for Lundqvist, their franchise goalie who had his No. 30 raised to the Garden rafters before a raucous sellout crowd of 18,006.
Goodrow opened the scoring for the Rangers at 8:47 of the first period with his 10th goal of the season. Jacob Trouba and Ryan Strome assisted.
Kreider made it 2-0 with 2:52 remaining in the opening period after Talbot fumbled the puck in the crease and Kreider nudged it past him. Trouba and Mika Zibanejad assisted. Zibanejad has points in 10 of his last 11 contests.
The Rangers outshot the Wild 12-5 in the first. The Wild then dominated the second, outshooting the Rangers 19-7 and scoring twice to tie the game.
Fiala narrowed the deficit at 12:18 of the middle period, scoring his 12th goal of the season before Zuccarello knotted the contest 89 seconds later with a power-play goal.
The tying goal was the 13th of the season for Zuccarello, a fan favorite during his nine seasons in New York. Assists went to Kirill Kaprisov and Matt Boldy.
“We were great in the first period. They were great in the second,″ Gallant said. ”They got the extra goal. It was frustrating to watch the second and third periods the way we played the first”
The 34-year-old Zuccarello has five goals and 13 assists during his points streak while Fiala has eight goals and five assists.
“It was a great ceremony and to get the win, it was a great day for us,” Zuccarello said referring to the Lundqvist jersey retirement. “I have a special relationship with the fans. They were great to me when I was there They still are. I am in a great place now, Minnesota. I like everything about it. I have the best of both worlds.”
Wild coach Dean Evason said Zuccarello has been a difference-maker for his team in subtle ways.
“He says the right things. He’s vocal in the right areas,” Evason said. ”What he’s doing with his work ethic is important for us.”
The teams were meeting for first time since Feb. 13, 2020, a 4-3 Rangers shootout win at Minnesota. The Wild’s previous visit to New York was Nov. 25, 2019, a 3-2 win at MSG.
The Rangers, who were coming off a 5-3 loss at Columbus on Thursday, still have points in 15 of 19 home games this season. They will host Seattle and Florida before the All-Star break.
JERSEY RETIREMENT
Lundqvist became the 11th Ranger to have his jersey number retired. He played for the Blueshirts for 15 seasons (2005-06 – 2019-20), appearing in 887 games and accumulating 459 wins with 64 shutouts. He has more than 50 team records, including wins, appearances by a goaltender and shutouts. Lundqvist joined Rod Gilbert (7), Ed Giacomin (1), Mike Richter (35), Mark Messier (11), Brian Leetch (2), Adam Graves (9), Andy Bathgate (9), Harry Howell (3), Jean Ratelle (19), and Vic Hadfield (11) as Rangers whose jersey numbers have been retired by the organization.
ZUCCARELLO RETURNS
Zuccarello returned for the second time since his trade from the Rangers to Dallas in February 2019. Zuccarello was serenaded with choruses of “Zuuucc” every time he was shown on the giant screen above the ice. A close friend of Lundqvist, Zuccarello received loud applause as he took part in the pregame face-off with Zibanejad as Lundqvist, his wife and two daughters were at center ice for the drop.
NOTES: The teams meet again March 8 in Minnesota. … The Rangers were without D Adam Fox for the first time this season. Fox, who leads the Rangers with 40 assists, was placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury after he was hurt Thursday night against Columbus. … The Rangers scratched D Nils Lundkvist, F Filip Cytil and F Tim Gettinger. … The Wild scratched F Nico Sturm and F Nick Bjugstad.
Up NEXT
Rangers: Host Seattle on Sunday.
Wild: Visit the New York Islanders on Sunday night.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/classic-old-cars-and-colourful-buildings-in-downtown-havana-cuba-right-a-sparkling-christmas-market-in-germany-with-many-lit.jpg?id=55239137&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Dreaming of escaping Canada's icy chill for sun-soaked beaches or vibrant city streets? Same. But before you finalize those winter getaway plans, there's something you should do: check <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-travel-advisories">Canada's latest travel advisories.</a></p><p>The Government of Canada has updated its <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">travel advisories</a> for several popular vacation destinations, covering everything from safety concerns to terrorism threats. </p><p>If Mexico, Cuba, or Thailand are on your itinerary, this info could make all the difference in keeping your dream vacation stress-free.</p><p>Travel alerts come in <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">four levels</a>, ranging from "Take normal security precautions" to the more serious "Avoid all travel." </p><p>These guidelines aren't there to scare you off but to keep you informed so you can make smarter, safer choices before going abroad. After all, nothing derails a vacation faster than unexpected chaos.</p><p>If your winter plans include spots like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or Thailand, it's worth reading up on the latest travel alerts. Here's a closer look.</p><h3>Dominican Republic</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: November 28, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime.</p><p>Details: The Dominican Republic is known for its palm tree-lined beaches, lush landscapes, and all-inclusive getaways, but staying cautious is key to enjoying your trip. </p><p>Officials warn that petty crime, like pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and drive-by robberies, is a frequent issue, especially at resorts, airports, and beaches. Even hotel safes and checked luggage aren't always secure.</p><p>Violent crime, including armed robberies, can occur, particularly in major cities after dark. Scams involving fake police officers and rogue lawyers targeting tourists are also a concern. </p><p>Stick to well-secured accommodations, avoid late-night outings, and keep valuables out of sight.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/dominican-republic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dominican Republic Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Cuba</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: December 4, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Cuba due to shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel.</p><p>Details: Cuba is a beautiful destination full of vibrant culture and stunning beaches, but recent challenges have made it important for travellers to be extra prepared. </p><p>The Government of Canada warns that Cuba has been facing nationwide power outages since October 2024, with additional outages occurring unexpectedly. While many resorts use backup generators, extended blackouts could still impact services. The country faces also severe shortages of essentials like food, bottled water, medication, and fuel. Fuel shortages are critical and disrupt public transportation, including taxis, making travel across the island very challenging.</p><p>Petty crime, including pickpocketing and theft from cars or hotel rooms, is common in tourist areas and crowded spots like markets and beaches. Violent crime is rare but can occur during robberies or burglaries. Stick to accommodations with strong security, keep valuables out of sight, and plan for possible disruptions by monitoring local news and keeping devices charged.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cuba Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Thailand</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: December 5, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand due to ongoing political tensions and sporadic demonstrations in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.</p><p>Details: Thailand's breathtaking temples, lively markets, and serene beaches make it a dream destination, but travellers need to stay alert due to political tensions. </p><p>The Government of Canada advises against all travel to the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala, where separatist insurgents have carried out violent attacks, including bombings and shootings. Martial law is enforced in these areas, with curfews and random searches possible.</p><p>Elsewhere, petty crime like pickpocketing and theft is common in crowded markets, buses, and tourist hotspots. Stay cautious when it's busy, especially during events like full moon parties, where robberies and assaults have been reported.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/thailand" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thailand Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Costa Rica</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: November 27, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica due to crime.</p><p>Details: Costa Rica's lush rainforests, golden beaches, and adventure tourism make it a dream destination for tourists. However, petty crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and car theft are common, especially in tourist areas, national parks, and busy hubs like San José and Puntarenas. Passport theft spikes during peak travel seasons, so keep documents secure at all times.</p><p>Violent crime, while less common, does occur, particularly in Alajuela, Limón, Puntarenas, and San José. If threatened, hand over valuables without resistance. Stay cautious when using ATMs, avoid leaving food or drinks unattended, and stick to well-secured accommodations for a safe experience.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Costa Rica Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Mexico</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: November 19, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.</p><p>Details: Mexico's vibrant culture and stunning landscapes are a big draw for travellers, but crime remains a serious concern.</p><p>According to the Government of Canada, violent crime, including armed robbery and kidnapping, is prevalent across the country. Petty crime, like pickpocketing, is common in airports, bus stations, and on public transit. Criminal groups, including drug cartels, are active in many regions, with clashes occasionally spilling into public spaces like restaurants or resorts.</p><p>To stay safe, stick to tourist areas, avoid travelling at night, and monitor local news. Be cautious and avoid showing signs of wealth to minimize risk.<br/></p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mexico Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Sri Lanka</h3><br><p>Last Updated: December 4, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks and crime.</p><p>Details: Despite Sri Lanka's lush landscapes and rich history, travellers should plan carefully. The economic situation here remains fragile, with shortages of some medicines and food items. Power outages are possible, and public services, including healthcare, may be affected. Demonstrations, particularly in Colombo, can disrupt travel and may turn violent.</p><p>Security forces maintain a strong presence, especially in the North and East, and sudden road closures or checkpoints are common. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and theft in hotels, is also a concern. Canadian tourists should stay vigilant, monitor local news, and avoid large gatherings to ensure a smooth trip.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/sri-lanka" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sri Lanka Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Germany</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: December 2, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to the threat of terrorism.</p><p>Details: Germany's historic cities and festive Christmas markets draw millions each year, but travellers should remain alert, especially during the busy holiday season. </p><p>The Government of Canada warns that terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Potential targets include public spaces like tourist attractions, markets, transportation hubs, and places of worship. Extra vigilance is advised during major events, holidays, or crowded celebrations.</p><p>The German government maintains a public alert system, and travellers are encouraged to stay updated through local media. While exploring Germany's charm and culture, staying aware of your surroundings will help ensure a safe visit.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/germany" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Germany Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>Spain</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: December 3, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in Spain due to the threat of terrorism.</p><p>Details: The Canadian government advises travellers to stay alert due to the ongoing threat of terrorism in Spain. While it's a popular and generally safe destination, extra security measures are in place, particularly in crowded tourist spots and during public events. Keep aware of your surroundings, follow local advice, and stay informed through local news.</p><p>Petty crime, like pickpocketing, is also common in busy areas, especially in hotspots like Madrid and Barcelona. Always secure your belongings and stay vigilant while enjoying the vibrant culture and scenic beauty that Spain has to offer.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spain Travel Advisory</a></p><h3>The Netherlands</h3><br/><p>Last Updated: December 3, 2024</p><p>Risk Level: Exercise a high degree of caution in the Netherlands due to the threat of terrorism.</p><p>Details: The Netherlands is famous for its charming canals, world-class museums, and buzzing nightlife, but travellers should remain alert. The government warns of a terrorism threat, with public areas like tourist attractions, restaurants, and transportation hubs potentially at risk. Be extra cautious during major events or holidays and stay updated through local alerts.</p><p>Petty crime is common, especially in Amsterdam around the red-light district, Central Station, and tram routes to the museum district. Pickpockets often work in groups using distractions like spills or fake IDs. </p><p>Secure your belongings, avoid displaying valuables, and stay vigilant on trains and public transport.</p><p><a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/netherlands" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Netherlands Travel Advisory</a></p></br><p><em>Before you get going, check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/responsible-travel-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Responsible Travel Guide</a> so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.</em><br/></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
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