New York Rangers lose to Tampa Bay Lightning in thrilling 11-round shootout

Last night the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning played to a 3-3 tie through three periods and overtime, but the Lightning earned the 4-3 win by outlasting the Rangers in an 11-round shootout. New York rookie Derek Stepan tied the game late in the third period with his third goal in as many games, and Mats Zuccarello, making his NHL debut, scored one of the Rangers’ two shootout goals. Tampa Bay’s Ryan Malone scored the winning shootout goal. The shootout was the 6th longest in history, 4 rounds short of the Rangers’ NHL-record 15-round win over the Capitals back in 2005 at MSG (which I also had the privilege of shooting). The Rangers have a few days off for Christmas before facing rival New York Islanders at home on Monday. Photos by Avi Gerver, ©Madison Square Garden, L.P.

A Rangers fan in the holiday spirit during pre-game warmups:

New York’s Ruslan Fedonteko and Tampa Bay’s Mattias Ohlund battle for the puck:

Rangers defenseman Michael Sauer fires a shot past the Lightning’s Dana Tyrell:

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist:

Tampa Bay’s Nate Thompson checks New York’s Michal Rozsival into the boards:

Rangers rookie Derek Stepan celebrates his game-tying goal late in the third period:

New York’s Artem Anisimov has his shootout shot blocked, but should have earned style-points for getting some air:

Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Brett Clark celebrate their victory: