Blog Archives
Rangers and Caps set for another classic Game 7 matchup at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
Ryan McDonagh and Alex Ovechkin, the two captains, will match up one last time in a deciding Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
When it looked like the Rangers were on the brink of elimination in Game 5, Chris Kreider scored with 1:41 left in the third period to send it into overtime, with Ryan McDonagh the hero in the end. They then got it done at the Verizon Center, with two goals from Chris Kreider, and one each by Rick Nash and Dan Boyle, backed up by 42 saves from Henrik Lundqvist.
All of these events sets the scene for a classic Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” a place where the Rangers have won all six Game 7s in their franchise history. Read the rest of this entry
Fourth line clicking when Rangers need them most
Bobby Bevilacqua
Tanner Glass, and the rest of the fourth line, have stepped their game up in the playoffs when the Rangers need their production most. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In the playoffs, there may be nothing more important a team looking to make a long run than depth. Depth in the forward lines, defenseman and multiple quality goaltenders gives a team the best chance for success.
Last season, the Rangers embodied this mentality, rolling four lines that were a threat to score at any time. Everyone knows about the third line of Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, which was arguable the team’s best and most consistent line throughout the playoffs.
But the fourth line Dominic Moore, Brian Boyle, and the rotating wing of Dan Carcillo and Derick Dorsett did a lot of things right too. It was a great defensive line, but could just as easily spend some pinning their opponents back in their own end. Don’t forget, it was Dominic Moore that scored the game winning goal in Game 6 against the Canadiens to send the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers force a Game 7 at MSG with stingy defense and superb goaltending
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
Rangers look for a win in DC to keep postseason dreams alive
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are in a must win situation again on Sunday Night, this time in DC, where the Capitals will be pushing hard to close out the series. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After an emotional comeback win at Madison Square Garden in Game 5, a game that saw the Rangers tie the game up with less than two minutes remaining and then win in overtime, the Blueshirts are back at it on Sunday Night, looking to extend their season again in a must-win Game 6 at the Verizon Center. They currently train the series three games to two.
With their backs against the wall, New York managed to get the win at the Garden, continuing their strong play overall throughout the series. Ryan McDonagh’s overtime goal gave the Rangers a chance to play one more hockey game, to get one more win and take it back to Madison Square Garden for a decisive Game 7.
New York is attempting to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in the second round for the second consecutive season. The win on Friday gave the Rangers nine consecutive wins during elimination games at home, an NHL record. Those wins all belong to Henrik Lundqvist, who is 12-3 in elimination games dating back to the 2012 season. Read the rest of this entry
It starts with one: Rangers stay alive and take down the Caps in overtime
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 43rd 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 10th 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
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