NHL: Rangers dominate Thrashers, lead series 3-0

NY Rangers lead series 3-0. (Best of Seven)

The New York Rangers annihilated the Atlanta Thrashers Monday night, burying pucks in the back of the goal the entire game with Michael Nylander leading the way. Nylander scored the first hat trick of the postseason, scoring the opening goal, as well as the final, as the Rangers to a dominated the Atlanta Thrashers, 7-0.

Nylander scored his first of what would be three goals 0:32 into regulation, beating Kari Lehtonen, who was just barraged with pucks the entire night. Nylander's first goal would prove to be the game winner, but the Rangers were determined to pad their lead. Nylander scored his second of the game 9:13 later to double the Rangers lead. After four more scores, Nylander would cap the game off at 15:54 to complete the Thrashers' embarrassing loss.

The Atlanta Thrashers, down three games, will try to stop their skid, and the sweep of the opening round series Wednesday night, when they will travel to Madison Square Garden in New York City to battle the Rangers, perhaps for the last time.

Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary No. Period Time Team Scorer (No.) Assists Score1 1st 0:32 NYR Michael Nylander (2) Jaromir Jagr, Marek Malik 1-02 1st 9:45 NYR Michael Nylander (3) Marcel Hossa, Jaromir Jagr 2-03 1st 12:26 NYR Marek Malik (1) Michael Nylander, Jaromir Jagr 3-04 2nd 6:27 NYR Ryan Callahan (1) Sean Avery, Fedor Tyutin 4-05 2nd 17:21 NYR Ryan Callahan (2) PP Paul Mara, Sean Avery 5-06 3rd 8:58 NYR Brendan Shanahan (2) PP Matt Cullen, Thomas Pock 6-07 3rd 15:54 NYR Michael Nylander (4) PP Michal Rozsival, Jaromir Jagr 7-0

Goaltending

Goaltending Team Player Shots Saves Save Pct. NYR Henrik Lundqvuist 21 21 1.00ATL Kari Lehtonen 35 28 .800

Three Stars of the Game

#1 = Michael Nylander, C, New York Rangers - 3 Goals, 1 Assist

#2 = Ryan Callahan, RW, New York Rangers - 2 Goals

#3 = Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers - 21 Saves, Shutout Win