Gustafsson extended the lead to 3-1 at 16:53 on a 4-on-4 when he tipped the spilled puck over the goal line after Sittil’s first shot spilled under Markstrom’s arm.
“Just a tough second period,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund said. “We came out and played well in the first game, especially early in the first half. Then we got them in the game and they took over the game and carried it a little bit in the second game.”
Shesterkin made a big pad save on Jonathan Huberdeau on Elias Lindholm’s backdoor setup at 9:31 of the third period.
Shesterkin also helped preserve New York’s victory by stopping Nazem Kadri’s wrist shot at 17:58.
“The only thing that’s going to get us out of this rut are the 20 guys in this room,” Calgary defenseman Mackenzie Weegar said. “We’ve got to work hard. We’ve always said that. We’ve got competition, we’ve got to work hard, we’ve got players. We’re just in a bit of a slump. It was quick. I believe we can get out of this situation, but it will take a lot of effort and we have to get it done as soon as possible.”
Flames forward Adam Ruzicka suffered an apparent upper-body injury on a hit by Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey at 18:32 of the first period and did not return.
Note: Kreider has five goals in the first six games of the season. Three more players are needed to equal Andy Bathgate for fourth place in Rangers’ history. … Panarin had eight points (three goals, five assists) during a six-game point streak. … Coleman’s goal was his 200th in the NHL. He became the third Texas-born NHL player to score over 200 points, joining Brian Leitch (1,028 points) and Seth Jones (377 points). … Sitil has five assists in the last two games. …There were no updates on Ruzicka after the game.
