N.Y. Rangers: Deux Vers Le Bas , Deux Pour Aller

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 2-0

I - NYR 7; MON 2

II - NYR 3; MON 1

III - THURSDAY NIGHT

@

Madison Square Garden

GAME TWO FINAL

Rangers      3

Canadiens  1

NEW YORK RANGERS: Les Chemises Bleues Gagner a Nouveau a Montreal!

Blueshirts Win 5th Straight ~ Henrik Lundqvist Makes 40 Saves

Rick Nash's 1st period goal was his second in as many periods (going back to the 3rd period of Game One).  That one was a bit inconsequential though.

This one mattered.  Just seventeen seconds after Montreal's Max Pacioretty opened the scoring 6:14 into the game, Ryan McDonagh tied the game (unassisted).  Then came the big one - and by that I mean a booming Rick Nash shot from the right circle.  Nash's goal to close out the 1st period gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

Henrik Lundqvist took care of the rest.  He face 41 shots, and stopped all but one to make Rick Nash's goal stand.

In a strange way, less proved to be more.  After 14 playoff games spent taking four and five shots a game, and coming up empty, Nash only took a pair of shots in Game One.  Monday night, he scored on his first attempt, and didn't take his second shot on net till the 3rd period.

Does this finally signal the arrival of Rick Nash?  These are after all, the Eastern Conference finals.  So, at the very least he is showing up at the right time.  His emergence also coincides with the the awakening of the power play.  They are now 4/10 in the series.

The timing couldn't be better.  The Rangers are half way to the finals.  If the PP and Rick Nash are about to heat up, then look out!


The Rangers carved up the Habs again.  It took magnificent play from Lundqvist, but the Canadiens have so far failed to keep up with Chris Kreider Carl Hagelin, and the Rangers speed.  They're also committing dumb penalties and paying a  price.

The series shifts to the Garden now.



Mike.BTB