Blog Archives
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 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 bring series to MSG for Game 3; McDonagh a maybe for tonight
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After splitting the first two games of the series, the Rangers are back on home ice for the first time in the playoffs, looking to pull ahead of the Penguins in Game Three.
The first two games of the series were played in an electric atmosphere at the CONSOL Energy Center. They finally solved Jeff Zatkoff, scoring four goals in 8:01 and skating away with a 4-2 win and tying the series at one game apiece.
But now, the Rangers are back at Madison Square Garden, where they took advantage of home ice and posted a record of 27-10-4 in the regular season. Despite that, Pittsburgh has won 15 of the last 24 games they’ve played at MSG, regular season and playoffs included. It’ll take another complete effort from New York tonight if they want a win. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to even up the series in Pittsburgh; McIlrath back in the lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a Hornqvist hat trick and a Penguins win in Game 1, the Rangers will look to steal home-ice advantage and even up the series today at the CONSOL Energy Center.
In the playoffs, the road team aims to take just one of the games away from their home stadium, and that’s what the Rangers need to do here. A win tonight would send the series back to MSG, with the series tied at one, and playing on home ice where the Rangers have an impressive record of 27-10-4.
The Penguins were backstopped by third string goalie Jeff Zatfkoff, who was stellar in Game 1, making 35 saves and keeping the Blueshirts at bay. Pittsburgh’s top players outperformed the Rangers best players, and some shoddy defense on New York’s part cost them a game. Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists, Patric Hornqvist scored a hat trick and picked up an assist, and Kris Letang had a pair of assists. Read the rest of this entry
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