Gawdin's first two NHL goals lead Rangers to rout of Canucks

VANCOUVER · Glenn Gawdin scored the first two goals of his NHL career in his hometown to spark the New York Rangers to a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. The 29-year-old from Richmond, B.C., was called up from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack on Tuesday and broke a 3-1 game open with two goals in a three-minute span of the second period. Gabe Perreault and Alexis Lafreniere each had a goal and an assist, Oliver Bjorkstrang scored and Dylan Garand made 27 saves for the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games. Elias Pettersson scored for the Canucks, who lost their seventh straight.

Gawdin's first NHL goal came after a costly turnover by Canucks goaltender Leevi Merilainen at 13:00 of the second period. Merilainen tried to clear the puck but hit teammate Filip Chytil, and the puck popped out to Gawdin, who quickly shot it in to give New York a 3-1 lead. "Yeah, it was huge," Gawdin, who has played nearly 500 AHL games, told reporters after the win. "There's a lot that goes through your mind over the years. Credit to the circle around me. Credit to my wife. You know, they pushed me when I need it. I think the success tonight, they have an equal part in that."

Less than five minutes later, Gawdin deflected a Vladislav Gavrikov shot to make it 5-1 and complete a three-goal outburst for the Rangers over three minutes and nine seconds. "It's special," Gawdin said of scoring his first two NHL goals. "I think anywhere it would have been special, but to do it in Vancouver is that much sweeter." Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan said it was a great thrill for the player. "He's a great kid. Obviously, he's coming back to his hometown here; he scores two goals," Sullivan said, per The New York Post's Mollie Walker. "We talked earlier before the game about how unique it is and how special it is for guys to play in their hometown and in front of their family and friends."

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The Canucks had taken a 1-0 lead midway through the first period when Elias Pettersson deflected a Zeev Buium point shot for his first even-strength goal since Jan. 13. The assist on the play gave Canucks winger Brock Boeser the 500th point of his NHL career, making him the eighth player in franchise history to reach that milestone. New York tied the game before the first intermission when Perreault collected a Lafreniere pass and ripped a shot that went in and out of the net. The Rangers took the lead for good on a power play 8:21 into the second when Bjorkstrang beat Merilainen from the high slot.

Vancouver pushed in the third period, outshooting New York 13-8, but could not solve Garand. Merilainen finished with 25 saves on 30 shots. The Rangers closed out a four-game western road trip and moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Canucks, who fell to 3-17-1, welcomed back centre Filip Chytil and defenceman Tom Willander from injury and saw defenceman Cameron Crotty make his team debut after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota. Up next: The Canucks begin a three-game road trip on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.

With files from The Globe and Mail, Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports