Glenn Gawdin scored his first two NHL goals in a four-goal second period that helped the New York Rangers defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Friday night, ending a run of struggles when falling behind early this season.
The Rangers had been 0-7-1 when conceding the first goal but turned that around in Vancouver, improving to 12-8-1 with their third win on a four-game road trip and fifth victory in six games. Gawdin, playing only his 15th NHL game and second this season, netted his first goal with a snap shot seven minutes before the second period ended, putting New York ahead 3-1. He added a second strike with 3:50 remaining in the period to extend the lead to 5-1.
Gawdin, 29, was called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on Tuesday and grew up in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver.
The Canucks, who entered the night with the NHL’s worst record at 3-17-1 and on a seven-game losing streak, opened the scoring through center Elias Pettersson. Pettersson’s tip-in came with 7:47 left in the first period, assisted by winger Brock Boeser, who earned the 500th point of his NHL career on the play.
New York responded late in the first period when Gabe Perreault equalized with just over a minute remaining.
The Rangers then dominated the second period. Oliver Bjorkstrand gave New York the lead on a power-play goal at 8:21, followed by Alexis Lafreniere scoring later in the frame. Gawdin’s two goals sealed the period’s offensive surge.
Dylan Garand made 27 saves in goal for the Rangers to keep the Canucks at bay.
The Canucks will visit Vegas on Sunday night, while the Rangers return home to face Montreal on Monday.
According to Yahoo Sports.
