Blog Archives
Lundqvist Shutout Propels Rangers over Penguins
Ezra Kwestel
Kevin Hayes celebrates his goal with Daniel Paille (Photo via NY Rangers)
Tonight, the New York Rangers (31-18-5) defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-19-7) by a score of 3-0. Let’s start off with the positives: The Rangers have now won four in a row and are 4-1 since the All-Star break and 7-3 in their last 10 games. Many people noted that tonight’s game was going to be a litmus test for the Rangers, going up against a Penguins team that has been clicking on all cylinders lately. It was also the Rangers first game against a team in playoff position since their tilt on January 17 at Washington. Although the Rangers went into Pittsburgh and shut out Crosby and Co. we can’t categorize tonight’s game as “signature win.” With that being said, there is still plenty of merit in winning a road game without Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash. It should also be noted that the Penguins played tonight’s game without All-Star forward Evgeni Malkin. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers move on to Round 2 with thrilling overtime win at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers sent the Penguins packing on Friday night, securing a 2-1 overtime victory courtesy of Carl Hagelin. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In front of a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden, Carl Hagelin’s wrist shot sent the fans into a frenzy, and sent the New York Rangers to the second round of the 2015 playoffs. For the second consecutive year, the Rangers eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins from the playoffs, this time doing it in just five games.
The Rangers haven’t really been able to close out series quickly in recent memory, so this gives some of the players who are banged up extra time to rest. The last time the Rangers won a series in less than six games was back in 2008, when they beat the New Jersey Devils in five games.
Every game in the series has been a one goal game, and all four Rangers’ wins were 2-1 victories. The Rangers became just the second team in NHL history to win a playoff series without scoring three goals in any of the wins, and the first team in the 2000’s to do so. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to close out Round 1 at MSG; No lineup changes for the Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back at MSG for Game 5, looking to close out the series in five games for the first time since 2008. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the first time since 2008, the Rangers will attempt to end their first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games on Madison Square Garden ice, searching for their third consecutive playoff win.
The Rangers have not won a series in less than six games since the 2007-08 season, when they defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games, a series famous for the creation of the “Sean Avery rule,” when he screened Devil’s goaltender Martin Brodeur by waving his hands and stick in his face.
After sweeping the two games in Pittsburgh before returning home, New York has their best chance in years to close out a series early. And like an article from Fulltilt NYR pointed out, we could be seeing a very different kind of game tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers comeback to win Game 4 in overtime; Hayes’ first playoff goal is a winner
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers were ecstatic when Kevin Hayes scored the overtime winner, giving the Rangers a commanding 3-1 lead over the Penguins. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Kevin Hayes’ first career playoff goal could not have come at a better time, lifting the Rangers to a 2-1 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Arena, and sending the Blueshirts back to Madison Square Garden with a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Although the Rangers had dominated first periods in this series, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston vowed that his team would come out with more fire, and play a better first 20 minutes. Pittsburgh did exactly that, completely outplaying the Rangers in every facet of the game, and limiting them to just two shots on goal in the period.
After the game, several Rangers including Lundqvist, Staal, Kreider, and others all said that Alain Vigneault really laid into the guys, firing them up and jumpstarting their performance in the second half. And around the 12 minute mark, Vigneault’s squad began to start playing their game again, leading to a Brassard goal in the second period and Hayes’ overtime winner. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to put stranglehold on Penguins in Game 4
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are hoping to jump out to a 3-1 series lead, something they have not been able to do in past seasons. A win tonight would put them in a good position heading back to MSG. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
In past seasons, the Rangers have struggled to put space between themselves and their opponents in playoff series, but they are presented with the opportunity to do exactly that tonight against the Penguins in Game 4 at the CONSOL Energy Arena tonight.
After a strong showing in Game 3 that led to a 2-1 win for New York, the Rangers and Penguins are back at it tonight in another very important game for both teams. A win tonight would put Pittsburgh in a stranglehold with the series heading back to Madison Square Garden.
Game 3 saw a much better effort from the Blueshirts, a game that was centered around strong defensive play, puck management and possession, and an aggressive forecheck which led to just 11 shots on goal from Pittsburgh in the first two periods. When the Penguins made a strong push in the third period, Henrik Lundqvist stood tall in net for the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 