Bobby Bevilacqua

The Rangers managed to stick together and come away with a win in DC, forcing a deciding Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

This series is going back to Madison Square Garden for a winner-takes-all Game 7.

In what Derek Stepan called “our worst game in the series,” the Rangers managed to steal an ugly Game 6 win, thanks to an offensive outburst and a marvelous performance from the Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundvist. Four goals and 42 saves was enough for the Rangers to send this series back to the Garden.

The game started out heavily in the Rangers’ favor, scoring 40 seconds into the period and dominating the speed play. It was a very wide open first period, with the quick pace of play an advantage to the Rangers. They were dominating with the cycle game, and wound up with a two goal advantage. Read the rest of this entry →

Bobby Bevilacqua

The Rangers celebrate after Ryan McDonagh’s overtime winner guaranteed another game for the blueshirts, and another shot at a playoff win on Sunday. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Less than three minutes remained in an elimination game for the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere was tense as the fans and players were sensing the possibility of a season ending too soon. With less than two minutes in a must-win game, Henrik Lundqvist started heading to the bench for the extra.

Chris Kreider’s one timer with just 1:41 remaining in the first period sent the Garden faithful into a frenzy, tying the game and momentarily saving their season. And in overtime, it was the captain Ryan McDonagh, on the team’s 43^rd shot of the game, blowing the roof off of Madison Square Garden once more, and helping the Rangers live to fight another day. Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday, May 10^th at 7 PM in Washington D.C.

With the win, the Rangers now have a nine-game win streak when facing elimination at home, which is a new NHL record. All 10 games that the Rangers have played in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs have had one-goal margins. The last 12 playoff games for the Rangers have been decided by one goal, dating back to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings. This is the longest such streak in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. Read the rest of this entry →

Bobby Bevilacqua

Tempers were flaring at the Verizon Center in Game 4, yet another hard fought battle that fell into the Capitals favor thanks to strong defense and a struggling Rangers’ offense. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

For the second consecutive year, the Rangers find themselves facing elimination and a 3-1 series deficit in the second round of the playoffs following their latest crushing loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals.

The Rangers anemic offense continues to be the storyline here, managing just one goal on Holtby in the two games at the Verizon Center. And again, despite outchancing the Capitals, and attempting more shots, they could not score enough to support a very strong Henrik Lundqvist.

In the last 163:13, dating back to Game 2, the Rangers have scores just two goals, with both of them coming from Derick Brassard. Simply put, the Rangers’ top guys are not getting it done, and the team needs contributions from all over the ice if they want to keep their season alive. Read the rest of this entry →

Bobby Bevilacqua

The Rangers and Capitals met for a Game 3, continuing the trend of strong goaltending, physical play and lots of action. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

One lucky bounce was the difference maker tonight at the Verizon Center, and unfortunately that bounce went in favor of the Washington Capitals, handing the Rangers a 1-0 loss, and a 2-1 deficit in the series despite the fact that New York actually played much better throughout the game.

Tonight marked just the fourth time in Rangers’ franchise history that they lost by a 1-0 score. The last time was on May 4^th, 2013 against the Capitals in overtime, and then again in 1937 and 1931, both 1-0 losses to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Henrik Lundqvist, playing in his 100^th career postseason game, was nothing short of spectacular, finishing with 21 saves on the night, and only getting beat on a deflection of Keith Yandle’s skate. Henrik Lundqvist is actually the first Ranger ever to play in 100 playoff games, marking an extremely successful career. In all eight playoff games this season, Lundqvist has been stupendous, and is holding together a team with an offense that is struggling to score. Read the rest of this entry →

The Rangers picked up a big win on home ice, evening the series at one goal a piece with Game 3 in Washington DC on Monday. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Bobby Bevilacqua

In one of the most intense games played at Madison Square Garden this season, Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers prevailed in a battle of goaltenders to even the series at one game apiece with the series heading to the Verizon Center for Game 3.

This marked the ninth consecutive playoff game decided by one goal for the New York Rangers, dating back to Game 4 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings. The win was also the first Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden following a Game 1 loss since 1994.

Following a heartbreaking loss in Game 1, the message from Alain Vignealt got through to the team, and the Rangers got off to a fantastic start, scoring the first goal of the game just 38 seconds into the opening period. Read the rest of this entry →