Rangers still unable to get the puck past Holtby in Game Four.
First Period:
The game started with no line-up changes for either team. The second period begins and within seconds of the start, a penalty is issued to the Capitals. A high stick to Marc Staal from Karl Alzner at 1:36 gives the Rangers their first power play of the game. The Rangers were unable to capitalize on it with only one shot on goal from Rick Nash.
A noticeable effort from Marty St. Louis and Rick Nash on the amount of shots on goal were visible on the ice. The shots are there but the puck just isn’t making it in the back of the net. At the 12:42 mark a scuffle happens in front of the Rangers net and four-on-four hockey insues due to matching roughing penalties to James Sheppard and Troy Brouwer at 12:42 in the period. The Rangers were controlling the puck more but need to be more aggressive with the shots they are taking and work needs to be done on winning faceoffs.
At the periods end, the Rangers are up 13-8 shots on goal but the game remains scoreless.
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Second Period:
First goal of the game goes to the Rangers at the 6:42 mark. A beautiful pass from Rick Nash to Martin St. Louis then to Derrick Brassard who charges to the center of the net to deliver a top-shelf goal. This was his 5th playoff goal and second of this series including a game winning goal and one assist.
At 9:52 Dominic Moore receives a goalie interference penalty as he is seen behind Braden Holtby in the goalie crease pushing him on the back of the head. What wasn’t expected was Nash scooping up the puck and hot on a two-on-one race to the net with a shorthanded chance at a goal.
Capitals get their chance and Andre Burakovsky shoots past Henrik Lundqvist to score his first career playoff goal with 3:31 left in the period. Some discussion over a trip to Marc Staal which wasn’t called created the scoring chance for the Capitals. That appeared to ruin the Rangers momentum and slowed them down into sloppy play for the remainder of the period.
At the end of the second, the shots on goal were closer with the Rangers 20-22 but they close the gap on faceoff wins.
Thrid Period:
Third period exploded and the Capitals rookie Andre Burakovsky scored again 24 seconds into the game start. As desperation set in, tempers started to flare. James Sheppard proceeded to push Tim Gleason into their net knocking it off its post. It created a thunderstorm and a fight erupted between Tanner Glass and Gleason sending them to the box for matching five minute penalties. This was among other penalties dished out including a ten minute misconduct to Tom Wilson .
The penalty box was feeling a little full as Derick Brassard joined fellow blue shirts at 15:27 for a slash to Brooks Orpik who also received a holding penalty. Something tells me these two have some unfinished business that will continue through this series. These two penalties put the two teams back on four on four.
With 11:59 on the clock Carl Hagelin controls the puck and sets himself up with a possible shot on goal only to be sniped away by Mike Green which results in the playoffs first penalty shot. unfortunately Hagelin is denied the goal by Hotlby’s glove.
Henrik Lundqvist once again provides the Rangers with unbelievable service but the ridiculous save while on his back at 8:22 in the period. This save is one that will surely be talked about for days to come. The puck, inches from crossing the goal line Lundqvist sweeps it out while on his back! It was absolutely amazing.
Time was ticking down and the Rangers were desperate for chances. Coach Alain Vigneault was visibly upset and voicing his frustration to the lack of holding calls that were not being called on the Capitals.
In the end, pulling Lundqvist or calling a time out with 57 seconds left didn’t help get the Rangers the goals they needed to win the game.
Next: New York Rangers Offense Struggles in Stanley Cup Playoffs
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