The New York Rangers (28-11-4) were ‘max’ed out in the 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens (17-20-8) in hockey action on Sunday. New York is now winless in last six trips to Bell Centre; as Max Pacioretty led lead the Montreal offense with three points.

Pacioretty opened up the scoring for the ‘Habs’ with a wrister at the 2:39 mark in the first period, for the 1-0 lead. New York responded when John Mitchell (3) recorded the first goal for the Rangers at 12:49.

Montreal took over the game in the second, scoring three unanswered goal as Pacioretty (15), Mike Blunden (2) and David Desharnais (7) capped off the victory for the Canadiens. Rangers’ keeper Henrik Lundqvist finished the game with 25 saves in the game.

New York had two players finishing the night with four hits, as Mitchell and Dan Girardi led the physical game for the Rangers. Stu Bickel dropped gloves and exchanged blows with Travis Moen at the 4:59 mark of the first period.

The Rangers will return home for a two game homestand starting on Tuesday, when they face the Nashville Predators.  The game between New York and Nashville is set to air on the NBC Sports Network, with face-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Written on January 16, 2012