It’s a 2-0 series lead for the New York Rangers as the Blueshirts prepare to return to the sanctity of Madison Square Garden. Seeing the Blueshirts take a 5-1 victory in game two means that the Rangers are now in complete control of this series and will have a chance to close it out on home ice. This was as strong a performance as the first game and now there is a chance for the Rangers to close this series out on home ice.
Chris Kreider needs his own shoutout here. When the Blueshirts need a goal, it looks like it is going to be Kreider tipping it in either on the powerplay or just when he is camped out in front of the net with someone like Patrick Kane shooting the puck for him to flick past the netminder. He’s the New York Rangers’ all-time leading scorer in playoff goals for a reason and he has shown himself to be a great player for this organization.
Another quick mention to the kid line. I know Kreider, Kane, Zibanejad, Fox and Panarin are going to get a lot of praise, rightfully so, but the New York Rangers third line has played a big part in this series in the first two games. Chytil’s goal in game one put the game on ice, and Kakko did it in game two. It’s not easy to do what they do consistently in the postseason and with the entire trio being so young, it’s a good sign moving forward.
This win in game two means that the Rangers will have a chance to close it out on home ice. Win both games at the Garden and you get to put your feet up and wait for the winner of the Islanders and the Hurricanes series. It’s important to not look ahead to the next series until this one is won, so win games 3 and 4, and then we can all take a few days off and get ready for round two which will be fun regardless of the opponent.