The compete was either going to be the treat or lead to defeat Tuesday at Rogers Arena .

Elias Pettersson wanted the line matchup against former Vancouver Canucks teammate and adversary J.T. Miller , who received a video tribute in his first return to the city after being traded Jan. 31.

The New York Rangers captain wanted to display his faceoff dominance and willingness to drag his struggling NHL club into the fight. He won his fist two draws against Pettersson, finished with 73 per cent efficiency, and nearly scored in the first period during a 2-0 victory.

Pettersson responded with two hits in the opening frame, including a thunderous reverse hit on big defenceman Urho Vaakanainen, and was good in puck pursuit and had a net presence. He also won 58 per cent of his faceoffs.

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