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Kreider hat trick spoils Tortorella’s return -- Rangers win 5-2

Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler

New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider celebrates his goal with Rick Nash (61) as Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo, left, and Ryan Kesler (17) react during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

AP

Vancouver Canucks coach, and former Rangers bench boss, John Tortorella hoped his new team would go into New York, “kick their ass and get out of here” with a win. All of none of those things happened as the Rangers took out the Canucks 5-2 at Madison Square Garden.

Leading the way for New York was none other than youngster Chris Kreider. He scored a hat trick, netting the first two against Roberto Luongo in the first period before finishing the trick against backup Eddie Lack in the third.

Kreider struggled last season under Tortorella scoring two goals and an assist in 23 games with the Rangers. He also spent parts of last season either scratched or in the American Hockey League. Less dramatically, he said he had no added motivation to show the old coach up following the game.

Rick Nash had a goal and two assists and Cam Talbot stopped 35 shots for the Rangers as he continued his solid play backing up Henrik Lundqvist.

Roberto Luongo was pulled after giving up a goal to Rick Nash 17 seconds into the second period and finished with seven saves. Lack closed out the game with 12 saves on 14 shots. The Canucks have dropped eight of their last 11 games and face the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow.

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