Blog Archives
Rangers head to Pittsburgh for Game 5 with their season on the line
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Just like the last two seasons, the Rangers find themselves in a 3 games to 1 series deficit, dropping two straight games on home ice to the Penguins. Starting tonight at the CONSOL Energy Center, Alain Vigneault’s squad will be looking to make it three straight seasons with a come from behind series victory.
In 2014, the Rangers defeated the Penguins after being down 3-1, winning two on the road and Game 6 at MSG. Last year, the Rangers found themselves in the same hole to the Capitals, winning three straight games including a Game 7 overtime winner from Derek Stepan.
The only positive to take out of this is that the Rangers have been in this situation before, they tend to respond well to adversity, and they’ve knocked Pittsburgh out of the playoffs for two straight seasons. Other than that, it’s a tough mountain to climb. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for a more balanced effort in Game 4 against the Penguins
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s never a must win game until you’re actually facing elimination, but the Rangers really can’t let this one slip away.
The Rangers are back home at Madison Square Garden today for Game 4, looking to rebound after a loss on Tuesday that saw the team get just 17 shots on goal, including only six over the last 30 minutes of the game. Matt Murray made his first career NHL Playoff appearance and not having much work. Sidney Crosby scored a goal on the power play and Matt Cullen scored the game winner. Rick Nash scored a shorthanded goal and Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves.
The Rangers have now lost four straight playoff games on home ice, dating back to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. For a team that went 27-10-4 in the regular season at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers need to capitalize on any game that they get to play at home. 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
Rangers Practice Report; McDonagh practices in full contact jersey, defensive decisions to be made
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a few drills and practices on his own, captain Ryan McDonagh skated in a full contact jersey alongside all of his teammates, marking the first time he’s returned to the ice with everyone since blocking a shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets two weeks ago.
McDonagh was ahead of schedule, and his return was a surprise to his teammates and his coaches. He skated on a defensive pair with Raphael Diaz, who was recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack, and he had no limitations.
After practice, head coach Alain Vigneault said that McDonagh returning for Game 3 tomorrow night is, “doubtful, but stranger things have happened.” Read the rest of this entry
NYR-PIT Game Two proves the kids are alright
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers responded in a big way by beating the Penguins 4-2 and evening the series at one game a piece.
The series shifts now to Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers went 27-10-4 in the regular season. The momentum would figure to be playing right into the Rangers’ hands. They’ll now control on-ice player personnel matchups, a huge plus for sure.
Henrik Lundqvist continued his recent playoff dominance over Pittsburgh. Lundqvist, feeling no ill effects from the eye injury suffered in game one, stopped 31 of 33 shots faced. The real story from a Rangers perspective in this one wasn’t king Henrik, though. Read the rest of this entry
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