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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
Rangers need to keep aggressive mindset if they want to win
Bobby Bevilacqua
If the Rangers want to get back to the Finals, they’ll need to come out every night with the “hunters'” mentality, and playing aggressively every night. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
“The hunter becomes the hunted.”
It’s a common expression used in literature, film, and in everyday life that is used to describe the tables being turned, representing the little guy rallying to defeat his aggressor.
But one may not think of it in terms of the NHL playoffs, let alone the New York Rangers. But as the series against the Penguins progresses, this saying keeps showing signs of validity.
Coming into the playoffs, the Rangers were viewed as favorites to get back to the Stanley Cup Final following last year’s run, backed up by the fact that they had the league’s best record, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 1994.
Being “the hunted” is a situation that the Rangers have not been in all that often. In years past, the Blueshirts have embraced the underdog role in the postseason, a role they thrived in last season. Being the favorites to win it all brings a lot of pressure, and it’s uncharted territory for most of the players on this team. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers recapture series lead with strong defensive effort in Pittsburgh
Bobby Bevilacqua
Carl Hagelin is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal of the game on a gorgeous feed from Keith Yandle in the Rangers 2-1 Game 3 win over the Penguins. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers needed a win in Game 3 in the first game of the series in Pittsburgh, and the road warrior Rangers played very well, coming away with a 2-1 victory to recapture home ice as well as taking a 2-1 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tonight’s game marked the 38th time in the past five postseasons that the Rangers have been involved in a game decided by one goal.
After a Game 2 where the Rangers seemed to lack the killer instinct and effort the Penguins brought, tonight was refreshing to watch. The Rangers were aggressively forechecking from the puck drop, and really pinned the Penguins in their own zone for the first two periods, not allowing a shot on goal for the first 15:10 of the game. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to rebound in Game Three in Pittsburgh; Klein still out of lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers have had success in Pittsburgh over the last two seasons, and the team needs a win to regain momentum tonight in Game 3. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following a loss in Game 2 in which Alain Vigneault said they need to play better as a team, the Rangers will look to come out strong and recapture their home-ice advantage tonight in the first game in the series at the CONSOL Energy Arena in Pittsburgh.
Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have been a very competitive team away from the Garden, setting a franchise record in road wins this season with 28. New York will need to channel that success tonight in a crucial Game Three in an attempt to swing momentum back in their favor.
In the two games played there in the regular season, the Rangers were 1-0-1. The one loss was in the shootout, and they followed that up with a strong 5-2 win in January. New York also played well in Pittsburgh during last year’s playoff series, winning three of the four games played there, including elimination games in Game 5 and Game 7. Read the rest of this entry
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