Category Archives: Game Recaps
Rangers offense falls flat in crucial loss to Pittsburgh
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In a game the Rangers had to have, a game that would have evened up this first round series at two games apiece, the Rangers came out and played as if they didn’t understand the significance in the least. From start to finish, the Penguins dominated the game and won it 5-0.
This marks the fifth straight playoff game the Rangers have lost on home ice dating back to Game 2 against the Lightning last season. The Rangers looked flat and lifeless at times in this game, not playing with the urgency needed in a game like this one. It was really disappointing, and the same errors that plagued them all season (bad penalty kill, bad defensive coverage, etc) hurt them again tonight.
This is the third season in a row that the Rangers will face a 3 games to 1 series deficit. Can they come back again? Read the rest of this entry
Rangers offense falters in Game 3 loss to the Penguins; McDonagh’s return triumphant
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers offense mustered just 17 shots on goal as the Blueshirts dropped their first playoff home game to the Penguins, 3-1, failing to consistently get the forwards involved and pressure Matt Murray, who was making his first NHL playoff appearance.
Murray made the surprise return from his head injury, replacing Jeff Zatkoff and making 16 saves on 17 shots and never facing a ton of pressure. The Penguins dominated on the defensive front, getting good contributions from Kris Letang, Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley.
It’s not like the Rangers played bad defensively though. In fact, they played extremely well for large parts of this game. Marc Staal played his best game of the playoffs in limited ice time, Brady Skjei played nearly 20 minutes, mostly with Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers benefitted from the return of their captain, and he played very well in all areas of the ice. It didn’t look like he missed any time at all, making some good defensive reads, contributed to the offensive game and handling his defensive assignments against guys like Crosby and Malkin very well. Read the rest of this entry
Miller, Brassard power Rangers to Game 2 win over the Penguins
Bobby Bevilacqua
Keith Yandle celebrates his first goal of the 2016 NHL Playoffs. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Led by three point games from Derick Brassard and JT Miller, the Rangers finally solved Jeff Zatkoff, skating out of the CONSOL Energy Center with a 4-2 win in Game 2, evening up the series at one game apiece and shifting control of home ice to the Rangers.
After a 35 save performance from Zatkoff in Game 1, they finally wound up getting their offensive production going, scoring four goals on 28 shots, with all of the goals coming in a span of 8:01. Keith Yandle, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider all finding the back of the net.
The Rangers decided to ramp up the physicality in this game, setting a franchise record for hits in a playoff game that ended in regulation (57). Kevin Klein (8) and Derick Brassard (7) led the Rangers in that category. The physicality and relentless forecheck was key to throwing the Penguins off of their game and containing their speed. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers lose Lundqvist to injury as Penguins take a Game 1 victory
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It’s a good thing that it’s a seven game series.
Patric Hornqvist scored a hat trick as the Pittsburgh Penguins took down the New York Rangers in Game 1, 5-2, backstopped by a 35 save performance from Jeff Zatkoff, their third string journeyman goaltender.
What’s worse? Henrik Lundqvist took an errant stick to the eye and was removed from the game after the first period. Antti Raanta was forced into his first career playoff game, and although three goals on 19 shots doesn’t look great, he was fantastic in relief. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers close out the regular season with a home win over Detroit
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dan Boyle celebrates after scoring his 10th goal of the season in the first period. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite already having their ticket punched to the postseason, the Rangers (46-27-9) came out strong and won their last game of the regular season, escaping some late drama and taking down the Detroit Red Wings (41-30-11) by a final score of 3-2.
The Rangers could have knocked the Red Wings out of a playoff spot, but luckily for Detroit, the Boston Bruins were blown out by the Senators, 6-1, in their last game of the season. That means that the Red Wings clinch a playoff berth for the 25th consecutive season, and the Flyers need two points to get back into the playoffs.
Despite a lackluster record on the road, the Rangers finished the season with a 27-10-4 record at MSG, and secured a point in 19 of the last 25 home games. Unfortunately, they will not have home ice advantage in the playoffs, but that record is still encouraging heading into the postseason. They also finished with 101 points, marking the first time since the 1971-72 season and the 1972-73 season that they have earned 100 points in back-to-back seasons. Read the rest of this entry
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