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Rangers all set for a winner takes all Game 7 at Madison Square Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Lightning will faceoff for one last time tonight at Madison Square Garden to decide who gets to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a valiant effort to avoid elimination yet again, the New York Rangers now have a chance to fight for a chance to return to the Stanley Cup Finals in front of their fans at Madison Square Garden. This crazy, unpredictable series will come to a close in the most exciting, nerve-wracking way in professional sports; Game 7.
If there is one thing this series has been, it is unpredictable. The Rangers opened with a dominating 2-1 win in Game 1, controlling the play through most of the 60 minutes. Then the Lightning outgunned the Rangers in a 6-2 Tampa win in Game 2, taking advantage of power play opportunities and mistakes. Game 3 was an offensive outburst, ending in a 6-5 Lightning win in overtime. Then the Rangers outgunned the Lightning 5-1 in Game 4 to tie the series. Tampa came back to the Garden and played very defensively, shutting out the Rangers in Game 5. And then the Rangers forced a deciding Game 7 with another offensive explosion on Tuesday.
As you can see, this series had absolutely no predictability. Nothing carried over from game to game, there hasn’t been one style of play, or one team scoring a lot of goals. Both teams have had their ups and downs, successes and failures, and that makes the buildup to tonight’s game even more unforeseeable. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello’s absence presents a big opportunity for youngsters
Bobby Bevilacqua
Jesper Fast is one of the Rangers’ young players that have stepped up in the playoffs in an attempt to fill the void left by injured winger Mats Zuccarello. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Since Game 5 of the opening round against the Penguins, the Rangers have been without their top line winger Mats Zuccarello, out with a concussion after taking an errant puck to the side of the head. He was initially out “indefinitely,” but after skating with the team a few times, he was upgraded to “day-to-day” status.
Zuccarello’s absence immediately left a void in the Rangers lineup. He’s been one of the best possession players on the team throughout the season, and can always find the open man due to his vision on the ice and his fantastic passing skills. Zuccarello is a sparkplug, playing physical and aggressively despite his small stature.
When the Rangers found out that he would miss a significant amount of time, Vigneault worked on finding a player to replace Zuccarello on the top line. He initially turned to the veteran Martin St. Louis, but soon decided that it would be up to his young players to step up and start producing in a top-six forward role. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers force a Game 7 at MSG with statement win over Tampa
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers congratulate Henrik Lundqvist following their strong 7-3 win at the Amalie Arena, forcing a decisive Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Friday. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Taylor/MSG Photos.
They did it again.
With their season on the line, the Rangers performed very well down in Tampa Bay, staving off elimination with a 7-3 Game Six victory, setting the scene for a winner take all Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
The Rangers are now 15-3 in their last 18 games when facing elimination since the start of the 2012 playoffs, including four wins in these playoffs. The resiliency and character that this team has is truly astounding, and they continue to get it done when their backs are against the wall.
There has been one specific player that has been a big part of those elimination game wins, and that man is Henrik Lundqvist, who was very strong again tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to save their season tonight in Tampa Bay
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back in action tonight in Tampa, needing a win in order to save their season and force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Here we are again. A familiar spot for Rangers fans over the past few seasons. The same situation the Rangers found themselves in against the Capitals. After a tough 2-0 loss at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers have their backs against the wall, facing elimination at Amalie Arena tonight in Game 6.
Although the game is obviously huge and very meaningful, players in the locker room had an aura of confidence, with Henrik Lundqvist reminding everyone that, “We’ve been here before,” and Marc Staal saying that “we’re a tough out.”
That they are. Since the start of the 2012 playoffs, the Rangers have played in 17 elimination games, posting a 14-3 record in those games, including winning three straight elimination games against the Capitals in the last round. They’ve been in these games before, and know how to handle themselves. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers approach needs to stay aggressive, simplistic
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers need to get back to the gameplan that gave them success in Game 4; aggressiveness, quicker decision making, and more shots. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers were stifled on Sunday night, bringing them to within one game of elimination for the second series in a row. That forces the Rangers to win Game 6 in Tampa Bay in order to extend their season, and bring the series back to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7.
The Rangers did not play all that well in Game 5, managing only 26 shots on goal despite largely controlling possession for most of the game. All of the zone time didn’t lead to shots on goal, as the Lightning did a good job of forcing the Rangers to the perimeter and blocking lots of shots.
Surprisingly, none of the success from Game 4 carried over to Sunday for New York. The Rangers scored five goals on 26 shots in that game, were more crisp, decisive and efficient with their passing and playmaking, and didn’t allow the Lightning to implement their style of play. They executed their gameplan flawlessly and came away with a win. Read the rest of this entry
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