Lundqvist, Rangers shut out Canadiens

NEW YORK -- Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves to help the New York Rangers to a 2-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Lundqvist was scheduled to have the night off until he was pulled after the first period of an 8-5 loss at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Lundqvist allowed eight goals in four periods leading into the game Sunday, but responded nicely and helped the Rangers to their first victory after back-to-back losses.

"The biggest thing … you have to let things go," said Lundqvist, who passed Turk Broda for 16th place on the NHL's all-time list with his 62nd career shutout. "That was the biggest thing for me, to move on from Saturday] and knowing that I know how to play and I know with the right type of game, we're going to win. You have to believe that.
"We wanted to play a solid hockey game. The first two games were pretty much back and forth against two teams that try to go for it all the time, and it's a little risky. Tonight, I felt like we played more our style. We were more in control and used our speed when there's an opportunity for it. For me, a couple of extra saves were enough. It was not like you needed to make eight or nine big ones. It was great to win here tonight and a great bounce-back for us."
***[WATCH: [All Canadiens vs. Rangers highlights]*
Carey Price made 23 saves for Montreal one night after he was pulled from a 6-1 loss at the Washington Capitals. Price allowed four goals in the first period on Saturday.
Brady Skjei and Mika Zibanejad scored for the Rangers. Zibanejad, promoted to No. 1 center after Derek Stepan was traded to the Arizona Coyotes on June 23, has scored in each of New York's three games. The line of Chris Kreider, Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich has combined for nine points (four goals, five assists).

"I try to shoot and the puck seems to go in right now," said Zibanejad, whose four goals are tied with Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers and Brandon Saad of the Chicago Blackhawks for second in the League. "I just am trying to place myself in a good spot out there and the guys are finding me and the puck seems to be going in. That's just the mentality. You just have to keep shooting when you are hot, I guess."
The Canadiens twice had goals overturned by video review in the first period. Andrew Shaw used a distinct kicking motion at 6:24; Shea Weber's shot from the right point hit Lundqvist in the chest and bounced of Max Pacioretty at 8:59, but replays determined Pacioretty prevented Lundqvist from making another save.
"The calls were frustrating, but they were good calls," Pacioretty said. "Making plays and making the goalie move is how you win games. Our chances were there. We have to stay positive. Our mindset has to be to keep working on our game."

Goal of the game

Skjei scored following a face-off win by J.T. Miller. He gathered the puck outside the circle and his shot ricocheted off Weber's skate while Weber was defending Michael Grabner in front of the net.

Save of the game

Lundqvist denied Paul Byron on a shorthanded breakaway at 11:27 of the second period to preserve the Rangers' 1-0 lead. Byron took the puck away from Ryan McDonagh in the defensive zone, broke toward the net and let go a shot from the face-off circle that Lundqvist denied with his glove.

Highlight of the game

Zibanejad's goal at 9:13 of the third was a result of Buchnevich's forecheck and pass from behind the net. Buchnevich found Zibanejad parked in the right face-off circle, and Zibanejad's shot from his knees went under Price's blocker.

They said it

"He did what we're used to having. He gives us a chance and he makes the right save at the right time. That's what he did tonight." -- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault on Henrik Lundqvist
"Lots of chances, but we need to find a way to finish a little bit better. I thought it was an improvement from our last game, from defensively to even breakouts to managing the puck. I thought we spent a lot of time in the other team's end. The next step is finding ways to capitalize on those opportunities on the time we spend in the other team's end." -- Canadiens coach Claude Julien

Need to know

The Rangers played 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Forward Filip Chytil and defenseman Brendan Smith were healthy scratches. Defensemen Nick Holden and Steven Kampfer made their season debuts. … Forward Torrey Mitchell replaced Ales Hemsky in the Canadiens lineup and defenseman Mark Streit, 39, was scratched for Brandon Davidson. … Lundqvist also passed Chris Osgood for 20th place on the all-time list by playing his 745th NHL game. … Skjei led all skaters with three blocked shots.

What's next

Canadiens: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN2, RDS, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
Rangers: Host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; MSG, FS-MW, NHL.TV)