N.Y. Rangers: Power Play Singing The Blues

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Series Tied 2-2

I - NYR 4; PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - PHI 2; NYR 1

V - SUNDAY @ NYR

VI - NYR @ PHI

VII - PHI @ NYR

NEW YORK RANGERS: Bring Back Emery!

The Blueshirts continue to out-shoot the Flyers, but Game Four's final score suddenly signifies something radically different about this series.  More than gooning things up, or taking advantage on the PP unlike the Rangers have since Game One, or scoring on a deflection, having Steve Mason back in net has proved itself to be the most dramatic turn in Philadelphia's fortunes.

Ranger fans are hopeful this is a simple case of scoring four goals every other game, but don't hold your breath.  Improved play between the pipes will only embolden the Flyers into taking more chances, or should I say liberties, knowing their back door is substantially more secure.

Two, One , Zero...., Scub.  That's the number of PP goals scored by the Rangers through the first three games.  Here's the more distressing part - the Flyers have 3 PP goals in 6 opportunities.  Sure the Rangers have done well to limit penalties....  The Flyers on the other hand, have afforded the Rangers with 16 PP opportunities, but the Rangers have only capitalized 3 times, and only once in the last two games, spanning 10 PP opportunities.

Don't look now, but Ryan McDonagh is hurt, ironically through no fault of the Flyers.  He appeared to bounce harmlessly into the boards, and immediately winced, then favored his left shoulder.  That brings to question how healthy he has actually been all this time.  His recent play suggests he indeed has been hampered with a bum shoulder which caused him to miss the last 6 games of the season.

Rick Nash, another five shots, still no goal.




Mike.BTB