St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery, center, looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
NEW YORK (AP) — Brayden Schenn scored the go-ahead goal early in the third, Zack Bolduc scored twice and St. Louis downed the New York Rangers 5-2 in Jim Montgomery’s coaching debut for the Blues on Monday night.
Montgomery was fired by the Bruins on Tuesday and replaced Drew Bannister, who the Blues let go on Saturday.
Schenn snapped a 2-2 tie with his fourth goal of the season at the 1:12 mark, beating Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin from the left circle.
Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich also scored for the Blues, and Dylan Holloway had two assists. Joel Hofer made 27 saves in St. Louis’ win.
Will Cuylle scored twice for the Rangers, who lost their third straight game.
Cuylle opened the scoring at 8:47 of the first. Kyrou tied it with 8:15 left in the first after Rangers captain Jacob Trouba misplayed the puck behind the net.
Bolduc put the visitors ahead at 4:30 of the second before Cuylle scored his second of the game and ninth of the season at the 7:20 mark. After Schenn put the Blues ahead, Bolduc scored his second of the night before Buchnevich scored into an empty net at with 2:45 left in the game.
Shesterkin made 38 saves for the Rangers.
Takeaways
Blues: St. Louis sent a barrage of shots at Shesterkin and played with more pace than it did in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Islanders.
Rangers: Played without veteran forward Chris Kreider (upper-body injury) for the first time this season.
Key moment
Hofer denied Cuylle’s attempt at a third goal late in the second to keep the game tied at 2.
Key stat
Rangers forward Brett Berard – making his NHL debut – assisted on Cuylle’s second goal. The 22-year-old was a fifth-round pick in 2020.
Up next
The Rangers visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, the same day the Blues visit the New Jersey Devils.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
By ALLAN KREDA
Associated Press
