Korpisalo Holds Firm as Rangers Win in Calgary 3-1
The Calgary Flames threw more pucks at the net, but Joonas Korpisalo kept handing them back. The New York Rangers won 3-1 in Calgary, and the shot clock alone would have predicted something closer.
Calgary outshot New York 31-24 and took slightly more of the shot attempts, yet Korpisalo stopped 30 of 31, including 7 of 8 from the most dangerous areas. By goals saved above expected -- how many goals he prevented compared with an average goalie facing the same chances -- he was worth +1.61.
Here's the twist: the Rangers actually had the slightly better chances overall, at 2.88 expected goals (what their looks were worth) to Calgary's 2.61. The Flames had volume; New York had a sharper edge and a goalie who erased the difference.
Mika Zibanejad scored twice, with Alexis Lafrenière picking up two assists. Tye Kartye added a goal, and the Rangers went one-for-three on the power play. Oliver Bjorkstrand rang a post, or it might have been wider.
At the other end, Devin Cooley stopped 21 of 23 in the loss, perfect on the toughest looks. For a Rangers team that has found road wins hard to come by, this one came from the crease out.