Milestones abound for youngsters as Rangers wallop Blackhawks
Rookie Adam Sykora scored his first career goal in his home debut and the host New York Rangers halted a season-worst six-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
It was Sykora's second game after he played about 13 1/2 minutes in his NHL debut in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the host Toronto Maple Leafs.
After scoring 12 goals with AHL affiliate Hartford, Sykora gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead with 8:20 remaining in the second period when he finished off an odd-man rush with Will Cuylle.
Sykora was not the only newcomer making his home debut. Drew Fortescue assisted on Jonny Brodzinski's second goal in the third period during his NHL debut.
J.T. Miller scored the tying goal late in the first period and added two assists. Matthew Robertson and Brodzinski also scored during New York's three-goal second period before Brodzinski notched his third career multi-goal game.
Alexis Lafreniere added a power-play goal in the third as the Rangers (29-35-9, 67 points) scored six goals for the 10th time this season.
Rookie Dylan Garand made 27 saves and notched his first career win. He highlighted his milestone night by stopping Landon Slaggert on a breakaway with about five minutes left in the first period.
Nick Lardis scored with 2:26 remaining in the first period for the Blackhawks (27-33-13, 67 points), who dropped to 2-4-2 in their past eight games. Chicago goalie Arvid Soderblom allowed six goals on 39 shots.
After Lardis slid a shot by Garand to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead, the Rangers gradually took over.
The Rangers tied it when Conor Sheary pounced on a rebound of Braden Schneider's shot from the left point in the crease and slid the puck off Miller's skate with 1:28 left.
Robertson found just enough space for a shot from the right circle with 14:36 left to snap the tie, and Sykora finished off his odd-man rush after eluding Frank Nazar with 11:40 remaining.
Brodzinski's one-timer from the right circle after the Blackhawks misplayed a clearing attempt opened a 4-1 lead with 3:53 left in the frame.
Lafreniere finished off a redirection with less than seven minutes left in the third before Brodzinski netted his second tally.