About Last Night…Rangers Against Penguins
Well, in a rematch between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, the home team had the last laugh. If you thought they would lay an egg again or the Rangers would dominate like last time, you were sorely mistaken. Last night’s game had a playoff-feel to it, which was echoed in the MSG broadcast. Plenty of hits, some choice words between each team, and emotions ran high all the way up till the bitter end. Let’s take a look back.
The game was a low-scoring affair, with neither team letting the other get away in terms of scoring chances. Both were equal in that department. Both teams imposed their forecheck and pressured the opposition in their own zone. When scoring chances were to be had, the goalies on both ends of the ice were there to match them. Both were outstanding in regulation. Between Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury, they combined for 69 shots on goal and giving up two goals each. At times, they were without their goalie sticks but still managed to keep composure and not let the game get out of hand.
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The two goals Lundqvist did let in, they were stoppable. That goal by Penguins forward Blake Comeau on the blocker side, he should have had. That’s not the type of shot he normally gives up. There did not appear to be a screen in front of Lundqvist, so he should have seen that shot. The second goal by Evgeni Malkin was a result of a defensive whiff in the Rangers zone. Dan Boyle just completely missed the puck and the Penguins set up the one-timer. However, Lundqvist was in position to cover the net from right to left side. Malkin beats him over the shoulder, hits the crossbar, and off his back for the score. He couldn’t do anything about the bounces but should have been able to stop the puck before it reached the crossbar. However, Lundqvist did his usual 36 save performance for the Rangers in a losing effort.
Not to escape this writer’s opinion is the Penguins themselves, primarily Sidney Crosby. For most of the game, he was seen plenty of times playing a childish act towards the referees on the ice for all the NHL to see. Those acts include: complaining to the referees in between periods, slamming your stick against the glass when you don’t get a penalty, and bowling over the opponent’s goalie. If you’re the supposed to be the best player in the League, act like it. Don’t carry on cause your feelings were hurt or things don’t go your way. It’s a man’s sport, grow up!
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with shootouts. It’s a means to an end. Most fans disagree, but I am in favor of it. Perhaps the negativity stems from another loss for the Rangers in the shootout. Two things that stuck out for me tonight, and actually the previous times the team has gone to a shootout are: 1) Lundqvist is not automatic and 2) Rangers shooters need to be more creative. In regards to Lundqvist, he is not been automatic as in the past. Previously, he used to be impossible to score on. When the Rangers went to a shootout, the team and fans had confidence nothing would get by him. This year, he’s been involved in three of the past four shootout losses. Teams are able to beat him, which is not Lundqvist-like. He needs to get back to what made him a stone wall to his opponents and make life miserable. My other opinion revolves around the Rangers shooters and their lack of puck handling towards the net. One example comes to mind is Mats Zuccarello. He always is deliberate, doesn’t fake out the goalie with his hands, and tries to fire off a quick shot five-hole. How about mixing it up? Zuccarello is too much of an offensive talent to waste his time with a quick wrister between the pads. It’ a one-and-done deal. Give yourselves a chance.
Well, onto Monday and a date with the Tampa Bay Lightning.