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Rangers drop Game Two to Penguins at MSG; Brassard scores again
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Penguins met again for Game Two at MSG, and the Penguins were able to pick up a win of their own tonght and send the series to Pittsburgh tied at one. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Looking to string together two straight playoff wins, the Rangers were outplayed at home by the Pittsburgh Penguins, dropping Game Two by a final score of 4-3, partially due to an inept power play and subpar possession at five on five.
The big problem here was special teams. In the game, the Rangers had seven power play opportunities, scoring on just one of them. The Penguins were much more effective, scoring on their first two power play opportunities, and two of four for the night.
This was a much tighter game defensively. After the first period ended, shots were just 5-3 in favor of Pittsburgh, with the only goal coming from the Rangers. The Penguins really shut down the Rangers at even strength for most of the game, with 13 of the Rangers first 20 shots coming on the power play, and seven of those 13 shots coming on the sixth power play chance, which was a goal. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers looking to capitalize on home ice advantage against Pittsburgh
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Penguins will meet again at MSG tonight, with New York looking to capture a 2-0 series lead. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins will meet again tonight in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, with the Rangers trying to take advantage of home ice and capture a two games to none series lead.
The Rangers are coming off of a 2-1 win in Game One, jumping out to a lead just 28 seconds into the game and never looking back. The opening goal from Derick Brassard, a power play goal from Ryan McDonagh, and some quality defense and goaltending was the difference maker for New York.
This represents a very important game for the Rangers. In past years, the Rangers have been unable to close out series early, often letting teams hang around and let series go on longer than they should have. If New York wants to contend again this year, they need to learn to start finishing some of the early rounds as soon as possible. A two games to none lead would be absolutely huge for New York. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take Game 1 at MSG with dominant start; McDonagh outstanding
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers got off to a quick start and never looked back, coming away with a 2-1 victory in the first game of the 2015 playoffs. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers did exactly what they were hoping to by coming out strong and aggressive, containing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and skating away with a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to open the playoffs.
The Rangers jumped out to an early lead, scoring just 28 seconds into what was a dominant first period. They were aggressive and physical, which started to get under the Penguins’ skin, which led to four Rangers’ power plays in the first period. The Penguins made a game out of it in the last two periods, but the defensive effort from New York was solid, and they were able to shut the door. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to start series against Penguins strong; Klein not ready for Game 1
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash will be a huge focal point for the Rangers as they open the playoffs tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following a wild opening to the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday Night, the Rangers begin their quest for the cup tonight as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at MSG in the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, round one of the playoffs.
This is a rematch of last year’s thrilling series in the second round, where the Rangers found themselves in a 3-1 hole before winning the final three games of the series to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
But this is a new year, and these are two new teams. The Rangers have been “the hunted” since day one, with people constantly using them as a measuring stick, while the Penguins are trying to embrace the underdog role for the first time in years. Read the rest of this entry
6 Keys to the Rangers taking down the Pittsburgh Penguins
Bobby Bevilacqua
If the Rangers want to celebrate a series win, here’s what they need to do to take down the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the home ice advantage, many people are expecting the President’s Trophy winning Rangers to come away with an easy series win over Pittsburgh. But like Sidney Crosby said, it doesn’t matter how a team gets in. Once they’re in the playoffs, anything can happen.
For the first time in a while, the Penguins are coming into the playoffs as underdogs. If they embrace that mentality, using the lower amount of pressure to motive them, and Crosby and Malkin can explode offensively, it will be an interesting series.
But with a ton of injuries on the backend, not a lot of depth scoring, and question marks coming into game one, there is a big opportunity for the Rangers to pounce on a fragile Penguins team and advance to the second round.
This is what the Rangers need to in order to do defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins. Read the rest of this entry
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