Flames squander lead, recover to beat Rangers

Connor Zary broke a third-period tie and the host Calgary Flames regrouped after blowing a two-goal lead to claim a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday.

Matt Coronato and Igor Sharangovich both collected one goal and one assist for the Flames, who are riding a three-game winning streak. Goaltender Dustin Wolf made 27 saves, and MacKenzie Weegar collected three assists.

Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle replied for the Rangers, who had their three-game winning streak end. Igor Shesterkin tied his career high with 46 saves in an outstanding performance amid an impressive goalie battle.

The Flames set a season high with 49 shots on goal. Their previous high was 37.

With the score even and overtime looming on the horizon, Zary put the Flames ahead at 10:35 of the third period with a great effort. The second-year player held off a check while he lifted a short-side top-corner shot from in tight for his fourth goal of the season. Jonathan Huberdeau collected his 500th career assist on the play.

The Rangers had a frantic late push to for an equalizer with the goalie pulled for an attacker, but they could not beat Wolf a third time.

The Flames opened with one of their best periods of the season and were rewarded when Coronato opened the scoring at 7:26. Upon receiving the puck, Coronato worked to near the faceoff dot and ripped a low shot through the screen and into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

Sharangovich doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 8:29 of the second period. He netted his third goal of the season with a rocket of a one-timer from the right circle that rang off the post and into the net.

The Rangers drew even with a pair of goals 16 seconds apart late in the second period. Lafreniere put New York on the board at 16:37 when he pounced on a rebound after Jacob Trouba's point shot was stopped. It was Lafreniere's eighth of the season.

Before that goal could be announced, Cuylle notched his seventh of the season with a waist-high deflection of K'Andre Miller's point shot.

--Field Level Media