Bjorkstrand scores twice as Rangers beat Ducks 5-2

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice and Dylan Garand stopped 29 shots as the New York Rangers defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Monday, Oct. 19, for their sixth home victory in six games this season.

New York built a five-goal lead before Anaheim scored twice in the final 69 seconds. The Rangers improved to 7-3-1, while the Ducks fell to 4-4-0.

Sean Durzi opened the scoring at 1:18 of the first period. J.T. Miller added a power-play goal in the second, followed by goals from Gabe Perreault and Bjorkstrand. Alexis Lafrenière finished with two assists.

Bjorkstrand added his second goal at 3:26 of the third period. Nick Jensen ended Garand’s shutout bid at 18:51, and A.J. Greer scored 36 seconds later. Ville Husso made 25 saves for Anaheim.

Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville criticised his leading players after the Ducks’ third consecutive defeat. “I thought our top guys weren't very good tonight,” he told reporters, according to Sportsnet. He said he had expected a stronger response despite the travel disruption.

The Ducks had reached their New York hotel at 2:30 a.m. Monday following a 15-hour travel day disrupted by aircraft maintenance, NHL.com reported. Quenneville said other difficult trips had often brought better performances, and he was troubled by his team’s response. Anaheim faces the New York Islanders on Tuesday.