Monthly Archives: April 2015
Rangers recapture series lead with strong defensive effort in Pittsburgh
Bobby Bevilacqua
Carl Hagelin is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal of the game on a gorgeous feed from Keith Yandle in the Rangers 2-1 Game 3 win over the Penguins. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers needed a win in Game 3 in the first game of the series in Pittsburgh, and the road warrior Rangers played very well, coming away with a 2-1 victory to recapture home ice as well as taking a 2-1 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tonight’s game marked the 38th time in the past five postseasons that the Rangers have been involved in a game decided by one goal.
After a Game 2 where the Rangers seemed to lack the killer instinct and effort the Penguins brought, tonight was refreshing to watch. The Rangers were aggressively forechecking from the puck drop, and really pinned the Penguins in their own zone for the first two periods, not allowing a shot on goal for the first 15:10 of the game. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to rebound in Game Three in Pittsburgh; Klein still out of lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers have had success in Pittsburgh over the last two seasons, and the team needs a win to regain momentum tonight in Game 3. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following a loss in Game 2 in which Alain Vigneault said they need to play better as a team, the Rangers will look to come out strong and recapture their home-ice advantage tonight in the first game in the series at the CONSOL Energy Arena in Pittsburgh.
Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have been a very competitive team away from the Garden, setting a franchise record in road wins this season with 28. New York will need to channel that success tonight in a crucial Game Three in an attempt to swing momentum back in their favor.
In the two games played there in the regular season, the Rangers were 1-0-1. The one loss was in the shootout, and they followed that up with a strong 5-2 win in January. New York also played well in Pittsburgh during last year’s playoff series, winning three of the four games played there, including elimination games in Game 5 and Game 7. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers drop Game Two to Penguins at MSG; Brassard scores again
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Penguins met again for Game Two at MSG, and the Penguins were able to pick up a win of their own tonght and send the series to Pittsburgh tied at one. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Looking to string together two straight playoff wins, the Rangers were outplayed at home by the Pittsburgh Penguins, dropping Game Two by a final score of 4-3, partially due to an inept power play and subpar possession at five on five.
The big problem here was special teams. In the game, the Rangers had seven power play opportunities, scoring on just one of them. The Penguins were much more effective, scoring on their first two power play opportunities, and two of four for the night.
This was a much tighter game defensively. After the first period ended, shots were just 5-3 in favor of Pittsburgh, with the only goal coming from the Rangers. The Penguins really shut down the Rangers at even strength for most of the game, with 13 of the Rangers first 20 shots coming on the power play, and seven of those 13 shots coming on the sixth power play chance, which was a goal. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers looking to capitalize on home ice advantage against Pittsburgh
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Penguins will meet again at MSG tonight, with New York looking to capture a 2-0 series lead. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins will meet again tonight in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, with the Rangers trying to take advantage of home ice and capture a two games to none series lead.
The Rangers are coming off of a 2-1 win in Game One, jumping out to a lead just 28 seconds into the game and never looking back. The opening goal from Derick Brassard, a power play goal from Ryan McDonagh, and some quality defense and goaltending was the difference maker for New York.
This represents a very important game for the Rangers. In past years, the Rangers have been unable to close out series early, often letting teams hang around and let series go on longer than they should have. If New York wants to contend again this year, they need to learn to start finishing some of the early rounds as soon as possible. A two games to none lead would be absolutely huge for New York. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Girardi okay, Klein out for Game 2
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dan Girardi is okay after getting hit in the jaw with a deflected puck. He practiced Friday afternoon and will play in Game 2. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After the first playoff game last night, Alain Vigneault had his troops hard at work today during practice ahead of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Rangers’ fans got a bit of a scare last night when Dan Girardi fell to the ice after getting hit in the jaw with a deflected puck. Girardi left the ice with 9:23 left in the game, and did not return.
However, Dan Girardi was back on the ice today at practice, and did not have many marks as a result of the stray puck. Girardi said that he was not cut on the inside or outside of his mouth, did not have any fractures, with just “a little swelling.” Girardi did not have any further protection, sporting just the helmet and visor. Read the rest of this entry
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