New York Rangers Head Back to Tampa for Game Six

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME FIVE

Rangers     1

Lightning   3

FINAL

Backs to the Wall, Rangers Face Elimination, Again!

Tampa Bay has outplayed the Rangers in eight of the last nine periods.

Any remaining spots of rust have been polished over.

The Rangers look slower, a step behind, and lack sixty-minute discipline.

To be fair, they've played 19 games in 38 days, which is a lot, and it has taken the Lightning everything they have to beat them.

Nevertheless, the education of the young Rangers continues ...

These boys must first learn how to finish.  The Rangers failed to protect a two-goal lead in game three, and with 0:42 left in regulation, yielded the game-winning goal.  They once again failed to effectively close out the second period in game five, allowing the game-tying goal at the 17:34 mark, and like game three, could not push into overtime, surrendering the go-ahead goal at 18:10 of the third.

Ryan Lindgren scored the game's first goal simply because he put the puck on the net, nothing more, nothing less.  The Rangers had their chances, some better than others.  Just ask Ryan Strome.  But in truth, the Rangers are no longer making Andrei Vasilevskiy work for his saves.  They hardly drive down the slot, no passing from behind the net, and, like I've been saying, a lot of predictability.

Ryan Reaves was a healthy scratch in favor of Kevin Rooney, an apparent attempt by Coach Gallant to muster more offense.  Reaves would have proved helpful after the final whistle.  Rooney threw his body around and got off two SOGs in under ten minutes on ice.  Overall, Blueshirt centermen had ten SOGs but no points.  Only one Ranger forward, Artemi Panarin, had as many as three SOGs.

Meanwhile, the refs seem less interested in blowing their whistle these days - advantage Bolts.  Tampa handed the Rangers just one power-play opportunity midway through the second period.  Lindgren's goal aside, game five was the latest example of the Blueshirt's dearth of scoring at even strength. 

Something needs to change quickly as the Rangers head to Tampa for game six.

If the first two rounds demonstrated anything, the Rangers played exceptionally well when faced with elimination - three straight must-win games against Pittsburgh, two against Carolina, and here we go again against Tampa.  But can the Rangers pull it off, again, against the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions?

That's a lot of noise!

We all know what needs to be done.  

Some better luck wouldn't hurt.

Otherwise, I expect all the New York City transplants and retirees to don their jerseys and make a ruckus at Amalie Arena.

New York Rangers Fall in Last Minute to Tampa

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME THREE

Rangers     2

Lightning   3

FINAL

Rangers Let Tampa Back in Series

What did I say ...

A two-game lead heading into Tampa means nothing if you can't finish!

The Bolts took 52 SOGs, with 19 coming in the third period.  The Rangers had just six shots after getting off a dozen in the first and second periods.  

They played too close to the fire in the final session and got burned with a mere 0:42 seconds left in regulation.  This isn't the first time we've seen them adopt this defensive posture.  Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were on the ice and solely blamed themselves.  Noble, but a poor finish nonetheless.

Andrei Vasilevskiy played his best game of the series.  The first period was Andrei versus Igor.  Each team had numerous scoring opportunities.  The second period was all about the power play in which the Blueshirts closed out the session with a 2-1 advantage.  But it didn't last.  Steven Stamkos scored on another Tampa power play at 1:12 of the third period tying the game at two.

The Rangers were 2 for 5 on the power play.  They completely blew a golden opportunity when the Bolts got whistled for a double-minor but ruined things with a penalty of their own.

All the big men on campus skated to a stalemate until the final minute.  Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider accounted for six points for the Rangers.  Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, and Corey Perry accounted for eight points, including assists on the game-winning goal by Ondrej Palat, who made it nine points for Tampa.

Vasilevskiy and the Lightning finally showed up and played their best game this series.  Even then, victory was within the Rangers' grasp.

Hopefully, Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow are up for the challenge of game four.  

New York Rangers Zap Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

I - NYR 6; TBL 2

Kid Line Short Circuits the Bolts

Was Tampa rusty after a nine-day break?

Perhaps ...

Do I expect more from them as the series progresses?

Absolutely.

But in no way will I minimize what the Rangers accomplished on Wednesday.  It was a stellar effort.  They were on the attack early, won the faceoff battle, and converted on the power play while killing off three.  

Moreover, it was smartly played hockey.  Mika Zibanejad faked a shot and fed Chris Kreider.  Filip Chytil hopped back to create a better passing angle for Kaapo Kakko, the now-famous "shift," or Ryan Reaves waiting for the right moment to send a message; it all wreaked of cohesiveness.

The Kreider/Zibanejad/Vatrano line scored the Rangers' first two goals.  Vatrano chipped the puck along the boards into the offensive zone in the opening moments.  Mika Zibanejad retrieved it in the right circle and passed it to a waiting Chris Kreider in the slot, who wristed it past Andrei Vasilevskiy at 1:11 of the first period.  Seven minutes later, Steven Stamkos tied the game at one.  Then at 7:50 of the second period, Frank Vatrano received the puck from Adam Fox and unleashed a sneaky shot from the slot for a 2-1 Rangers lead.  

As expected, Tampa tied the game at two.  

But then came the Kid Line to the rescue.  

They say that lightning doesn't strike the same spot twice.  That is unless you're Filip Chytil.  The Rangers' 23-year-old center is on fire.  He scored at 10:09 of the second period on feeds from Alexis LaFreniere and Kaapo Kakko.  A little over five minutes later, Chytil scored again off a cross-seam pass by K'Andre Miller.  He now has five goals in his last three games.

Artemi Panarin made his deliveries in the third period.  The Bread Man scored just 0:30 into the period on feeds from Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba.  Panarin then assisted on Mika Zibanejad's power-play goal at the 6:06 mark.

Ryan Reaves and the fourth line very strategically notified Tampa that they aren't putting up with any crap in the closing minutes.

... a complete team effort.

My heart stooped when I saw Igor Shesterkin lying face down on the ice.  It appeared as if Nikita Kucherov buried his stick into the neck of Shesterkin.  But Igor rubbed it off to stop 37 of 39 shots on goal.

Some say Vasilevkiy was rusty.  I say he was perplexed.  The Rangers had him moving left and right.

By game seven of the first round, it finally dawned on the Blueshirts that their best scoring opportunities were shooting top shelf.  

Kreider scored high, blocker side moving right.  Vatrano also scored high on the blocker side.  Both Chytil goals were high glove side while moving left.  Artemi Panarin's goal mimicked Kreider and Vatrano, high on the blocker side.  Mika Zibanejad's power-play goal in third was likewise high on the blocker side, which confirmed Andrei Vasilevskiy has his issues.

Not all of that was rust.

New York Rangers Advance to Eastern Conference Finals

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

CAROLINA HURRICANES

BRING ON THE BOLTS!

That's How You Close Out a Series!

The Rangers' power play continued making the Canes pay for their mistakes.  Adam Fox converted passes from Alexis LaFreniere and Andrew Copp at 3:40 of the first period.  A little over four minutes later, Chris Kreider tipped in a pass from Mika Zibanejad, and just like that, before a hushed crowd, the Rangers owned a 2-0 lead.  

More importantly, Carolina was taken out of their game post-haste.  Jacob Trouba deleted Seth Jarvis with a big clean hit.  In Jarvis' attempt to crawl off the ice, Carolina was called for too many men on the ice.  Zibanejad and Kreider made them pay.

Then, with fewer than four minutes left in the second period, Ryan Strome scored the game's decisive goal.  He came rushing down the left-wing and placed a wrister stick side.

Chris Kreider scored the exclamation point to open the third period.  It was a great play on a breakaway, a power move, a classic.  He's been an exceptional leader all season long.  In the second round, game seven, the Rangers are on the road, and Kreider killed it with his second goal of the game.

That being said, the big guns got it done.  The team's top scorers, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, accounted for eight points.

Meanwhile, Filip Chytil continued creating his own chances and capitalizing on Carolina turnovers.  At 8:15 of the third period, he did it again, a beauty.  Chytil scored his third goal in his last two games and fourth of the series.

Igor Shesterkin turned in another brilliant performance.  But for the second time in the series, he was indecisive with the puck, which left him out of position, and he wound up paying the price.

Next stop: Eastern Conference Finals.  

The Rangers regain the home-ice advantage.

Bring on the Bolts!

New York Rangers Set to Storm Beaches of North Carolina

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME SIX

Hurricanes  2

Rangers      5

FINAL

Rangers Force Game Seven at Carolina

The winning formula remains: top-line scorers stepping up, converting on the power play, and going top shelf on Carolina goalies.  Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin all registered a point.  Zibanejad and Panarin scored on the power play, and Filip Chytil demonstrated how to aim high.

Tyler Motte opened the scoring at 7:22 of the first period, barrelling right down Broadway and sneaking a wrister through Antti Raanta's midsection.  Mika Zibanejad then scored on a power play two and a half minutes later.  His footwork and skating made the space, brilliant maneuvering on his part.  It was Mika's fourth goal in his last four games.

As has been the case throughout these playoffs, the second period turned into a wild and wacky affair.  Two goals were scored by each team.  The kids continue creating chances for themselves.  Shortly after shooting wide of the net on a semi-breakaway, Filip Chytil caused another turnover.  He broke for the net and wristed a shot over Antti Raanta's left shoulder that knocked the Carolina goalie out of the box.  A little over three minutes later, Chytil scored again.  After digging the puck out of the left corner, Chytil unleashed a backhand that beat backup goalie Pyotr Kocketkov top shelf over his left shoulder.

The Rangers took a 4-2 lead into the third period.  If Carolina scores here, the game changes on a dime.  But Artemi Panarin made sure that did not happen.  This was by no means a garbage-time goal.  Instead, it was the stake through the heart.  Chris Kreider drew in the defense down low, then passed to Panarin, who wristed it home.

Igor Shesterkin had a game for the ages, making 37 saves, assisting on two goals, and incurring an interference penalty.

Ryan Lindgren has now tipped in two goals for the Hurricanes.  This time Shesterkin looked at him like ... c'mon, man!  

The Rangers are headed back to Carolina for game seven.  It was game one in which Lindgren tipped in the game-winning goal in overtime for the Canes.  

Said another way, the Rangers can win in their house.

New York Rangers Brace For Hurricane at the Garden

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

DEFEND THIS HOUSE

GAME FIVE

Rangers       1

Hurricanes   3

FINAL

First Liners Must Force Game Seven

That was a terrible effort by the Rangers, plain and simple.  

They looked like they were skating on the sands of the Outer Banks.  

Most all attempts to possess the puck and establish the zone were feeble.  Net result, the Rangers mounted an amateurish 17 SOGs.  Five shots in the first period, five in the second, and a whopping seven in the third period, that's it ... that's all there was.

Ryan Strome led the Rangers with four SOGs; Mika Zibanejad and Andrew Copp had two.  No other player had more than one shot on the net.  Chris Kreider had none and Artemi Panarin, none.

Chris Kreider has one point in this series - a goal in game three.  Artemi Panarin registered assists in games three and five for two points.  We're watching with our own eyes: the Rangers can't survive this significant lack of productivity from the top-line guys.

But there's more ...

For the second time this series, the Rangers yielded another short-handed goal to Carolina, and just like the closing minutes of game two, Igor Shesterkin was pulled in favor of a sixth skater.  Still, the Rangers again failed to establish possession, much less zone presence.

The series shifts back to the Garden on Saturday.

We know what they gotta do.

Defend this house!

New York Rangers and Hurricanes Head Back to North Carolina Tied at Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME FOUR

Hurricanes   1

Rangers        4

FINAL

Smurfs Need Not Apply

Midway through the first period, Jacob Trouba laid a big neutral zone hit on Max Domi which his linemate Steven Lorentz took exception.  Trouba in turn took out Lorentz post-haste, and both served five for fighting.

On that note, Alexis LaFreniere and Ryan Strome seem to enjoy when things get touchy, as do K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren.  We know Chris Kreider handles himself very well.  The additions of Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte, Frank Vatrano (and even the injured Barclay Goodrow) have also elevated this team's grittiness and toughness.

But make no mistake, for the second game in a row, Ryan Reaves let Domi, Tony DeAngelo, and all the other Canes know the Rangers aren't putting up with any of their crap.

The Rangers followed the winning recipe from game three: front-line scoring and goals on the power play.  I also left off saying they needed to go top shelf on Antti Raanta.  At the very least, they have him shifting left and right.

A pair of breakaway attempts by Alexis LaFreniere and Artemi Panarin was stopped cold by Antti Raanta; LaFreniere tried going five-hole, and Panarin resorted to his backhand.  Mika Zibanejad later received a pass from Chris Kreider and was likewise stuffed by Raanta.  Filip Chytil even attempted a wrap-around to no avail.  My point is that the Rangers need to elevate like Andrew Copp did in the third period when he took a feed from Ryan Strome and scored mid-level.

Ryan Lindgren gets it.  He took two shots that ended up in the back of the net.  The first came from the left circle and was tipped by Adam Fox.  The next came in the second period when Mika Zibanejad cleaned up a rebound that got behind Raanta.  Both shots were high and caused trouble.

Frank Vatrano opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 13:31 of the first period.  The Rangers were 1/4 on the night but now have two PP goals in their last two games.  Carolina was held scoreless in two opportunities.

Mika Zibanejad came to play with another goal and assist.  More importantly, four Ranger centermen joined together for three goals and seven points.  

However, Artemi Panarin remains lost in space.

Long live Igor Shesterkin!

Back to North Carolina ...

New York Rangers Protect Garden From Game Three Hurricane

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME THREE

Hurricanes    1

Rangers        3

FINAL

Home Sweet Home ...

Everything we need to see from the Rangers we witnessed in game three: scoring from the top line, converting on the power play, and beating Antti Raanta top shelf.

Mika Zibanejad scored a power-play goal at 11:54 of the first period.  It was the Rangers' first PP goal of the series, not to mention their first score since the first period of game one.  The Rangers, who killed four penalties in game three, have yet to yield a goal to Carolina in seven power-play opportunities.

Chris Kreider scored the decisive goal at 5:55 of the second period, beating Antti Raanta over his left shoulder.  He patiently handled the puck behind the net and set himself up for a shot from the left circle.  Kreider is likely still pissed off over hitting the post on an empty-net chance late in the third period.  But Tyler Motte had his back, scoring into an empty net with 1:23 left in regulation.

Igor Shesterkin took care of the rest, stopping 43 of 44 shots.  He gets a pass for allowing a second-period goal because, at 6:56 of the first period, he made a daring, if not brilliant, save against Jesperi Kotkaniemi.  It was the key save of the game.

It's essential to get Antti Raanta moving in all directions, left, right, up, and down.  You just can't let him assume shots.  Give him something to think about.

Enter Artemi Panarin ...

Artemi has eight points (five assists) through ten games.  He assisted Mika Zibanejad's first-period goal, but the Rangers need more.  Panarin should not be tied in these playoffs with two other teammates for fifth in shots on goal.  Case in point - Jacob Trouba should not have more SOGs than Panarin.  The Bread Man is also getting pushed off the puck.  It would behoove him and the Rangers if he took quick, decisive shots.  It's just a matter of simplifying the game instead of needing to be perfect.

Coach Gallant did some first-period mixing and matching.  Filip Chytil was added to the Zibanejad and Kreider line.  In turn, the three led the Rangers with four SOGs each.

Now let's see if they all can do it again ...

New York Rangers Sustain Category Two Hurricane at Carolina

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME TWO

Rangers       0

Hurricanes  2

FINAL

New Hole, Different Shovel

Looks can indeed be deceiving.  I see a team still trying to be too cute and over-passing instead of just putting more shots on net.  I also see all forward lines getting bogged down at the blue line when attempting to enter the offensive zone, and if they dump and chase, getting easily pushed off the puck.  Yet, the Rangers actually have one more shot on goal (49-48) than Carolina through two games.  Thus both teams are creating roughly the same number of opportunities.

For a second straight series, the Rangers are getting killed on faceoffs.  Not just on the puck drop but the wingers within the circle.  Carolina owns a 64-47 advantage.

The question of whether Coach Galant would stay disciplined with a four-line rotation has been answered.  To a certain extent, he mixed and matched, most notably bumping up Alexis LaFreniere with Chris Kreider and Mike Zibanejad.

Special teams are officially a problem.  The Rangers are now 0/5 on the power play.  However, surrendering a short-handed goal while on a four-minute power play, then later failing to maintain possession upon pulling Igor Shesterkin in favor of a sixth skater, is inexcusable.  If nothing else, this is precisely why the Rangers lost game two.

If Carolina cleans up their offensive zone passing, it pains me to say they can dispose of the Rangers in five games.  If Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider start scoring, maybe not.

Anyone laying blame on Igor Shesterkin is just plain wrong.

Artemi Panarin Punches New York Rangers Ticket to Round Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RANGERS def. PENGUINS; 4-3

I - PITT 4; NYR3

II - NYR 5; PITT 2

III - PITT 7; NYR 4

IV - PITT 7; NYR 2

V - NYR 5; PITT 3

VI - NYR 5; PITT 3

VII - NYR 4; PITT 3

The Bread Man Delivers!  

Everyone knows the playoffs are a different animal.  It requires a more straightforward and more barbaric approach than the regular season.  

The Rangers' top forwards clearly needed time to figure that out.  Maybe they were overthinking things - paralysis by analysis.  Because the kids, Filip Chytil, Alexis LaFreniere, and Kakko Kappo, played more free and easy as if being too young and inexperienced to know playoff pressure.  Down in the series three games to one, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider finally stepped up to become the decisive factors in games five and six.  

Chris Kreider opened the scoring in game seven at the 7:36 mark.  At 14:15 of the third period, Mika Zibanejad scored the game-tying goal, and they went into overtime at Madison Square Garden.

After a most frustrating series, Artemi Panarin saved his best for last.  He received criticism for failing to put more shots on the net throughout the series.  He spent his time trying to be a facilitator, always looking to pass first.  It's what he does.  Artemi led the Rangers with 74 assists and 96 points during the regular season.  However, he entered game seven with six points (two goals, four assists) through damn near 21 periods of hockey.  The first three periods on Sunday changed little.

Alas, when the team needed another hero, Panarin answered the call.  He took a team-high five shots on goal, and at 4:46 of overtime, Artemi put the biscuit in the basket to send the Rangers into a round two matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

I'm an older fan now, so I'm not easily impressed.  But Chris Kreider has become such an incredible leader for this team.  The unnamed captain led the Rangers with five dramatic goals, snatched an iPad from the hands of Mika Zibanejad, smashed it on the floor, and told his linemate to stop second-guessing himself.  

The series also changed when Ryan Lindgren returned to the ice.  Just ask Sidney Crosby, who Lindgren showed mercy on when the Penguin captain was poking at Igor Shesterkin.

K'Andre Miller was brilliant throughout, smart, effective, and tough, and Igor Shesterkin is a star, and soon he'll have the hardware to prove it.

That was a hell of an education for the youngsters and some fine tutoring by the veterans.

New York Rangers Need Top Forward Line Contributions at Pittsburgh

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

BACK TO THE IGLOO

GAME SIX

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Veterans Must Step It Up Because The Kids Are Alright

Igor Shesterkin completely misplayed the tying goal.  

Okay ...

But once again, he is not and has never been even a top-three issue why the Rangers are in this predicament.

Instead, look what happens when you make passes from behind the net and take shots from the slot and between the dots.  I've spent the majority of five games now watching the Rangers loitering around the perimeter, cycling the puck, settling for poor quality shots from outside the dots, and making Louis Domingue look like Ken Dryden.  The Penguins instinctually veer toward the net, anticipating a pass or shot, whereas the Rangers, on the rush, push the puck outwards towards the wings and take lousy angle shots.  They executed the strategy well in game one until they didn't and failed to revert to what works best until game five.

Pittsburgh continues to dominate face-offs and create shots.  Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad is yet to show up at the party.  He continually leads the Ranger forwards in minutes but is sixth on the team with only 14 shots on goal and only four points (assists) to show.  In fact, eight different Penguins have gotten off more shots than Zibanejad, and five have posted more points.

The return of Ryan Lindgren clearly impacted the Rangers.  But the million-dollar question is whether anything about the second period happens if Sidney Crosby is on the ice?  His absence clearly emboldened the Rangers.  In fact, the whole complexion of the game changed when Crosby left the ice.

K'Andre Miller, Alexis LaFreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, and Igor are being administered quite an education.  Now it's back to Pittsburgh for game five.  Staring into the face of elimination, let's see what they've learned or not.  

Otherwise, with great conviction, I will say it's time for Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and the veterans to pull the Rangers through to a game seven back at Madison Square Garden.  They're the ones with something to prove.  They're the ones who need to pick up the scoring and not rely so much on Adam Fox.

Because the kids are alright.

New York Rangers Get Iced at the Igloo

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME THREE

Penguins   7

Rangers     4

FINAL

Penalties and Special Teams Continue Digging Deeper Hole

The Rangers played a commendable second period.  However, the other forty minutes were highly questionable, if not feeble.

They commit a cardinal sin right away, allowing a goal within the first two minutes of the first period.  Afterwhich they dig themselves into an even deeper hole, yielding two power-play goals just a little over two minutes apart.  The Penguins then score at 15:15 of the first period to put the Rangers behind by three.

Kaapo Kakko scored his first goal of the playoffs five minutes into the first period, and Filip Chytil and Alexis LaFreniere also notched their first points with the assists.

The Rangers miraculously scored three times in the second period to tie the game at four.  Frank Vetrano and Artemi Panarin scored their second playoffs goals, and Andrew Copp tied the game at the 15:15 mark with a short-handed goal.

However, the backbreaker occurred at 11:02 of the third period when Danton Heinen scored unassisted.

The Rangers naturally pulled the goalie during the late minutes, but the strategy failed miserably.  Not once but twice, the Rangers, with a man advantage, were unable to maintain possession and yielded empty-net goals, both assisted by Sidney Crosby.

After the first period, Igor Shesterkin never made it back on the ice, pulled in favor of Alexandar Georgiev.  That first period is not reflective of Igor's overall performance.  Lest we forget, Pittsburgh's backup goalie Casey DeSmith never made it out of game one.  

The fault for this series deficit lies in the Rangers' special teams, be it the power play or the kill.

... stymied by Louis Domingue?  

I'm not buying that.

This Time N.Y. Rangers Sustain and Finish Game Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME TWO

Penguins   2

Rangers     5

FINAL

Ch ... ch ... changes!

Pittsburgh provided the Rangers just one power-play opportunity through five-plus periods in game one.  On Thursday, the Pens were whistled four times which is somewhat uncharacteristic.  Three minutes into the second period Ryan Strome scored on a power play giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. The Blueshirt PP is now 2/5 through two games.  Expect the Pens to be more disciplined and provide fewer opportunities as the series progresses.  But the Rangers must continue making the Penguins pay a heavy price for any indiscretions.

Artemi Panarin in game one clocked nearly 32 minutes of ice time but finished with no points and only two shots on goal.  This time Bread Man assisted on Andrew Copp's first-period goal and assisted Strome in the second.  But before the second session came to a close, Sidney Crosby scored, bringing the Pens within one.  At 8:02 of the third period, Artemi Panarin scored to restore the Rangers' two-goal lead and finished the game with three points.

Cycling back, trade-deadline acquisition Andrew Copp opened the scoring in the first period.  Likewise, acquisition Frank Vatrano effectively put the game out of reach at the 9:49 mark of the third - and what a move by him, powering down the right side.

K'Andre Miller was also stellar, and not because he had two assists.  On a night the Rangers were shy of Ryan Lindgren, Miller was great defensively and, on one particular play, directed traffic when the Rangers got caught in an odd-man rush.

Igor Shesterkin took care of the rest, turning in another brilliant performance.  He stopped 39 of 41 shots in just two games and has made 118 saves against 124 attempts for a .951 percentage! 

Unlike game one, the Rangers, this time, sustained and finished.

N.Y. Rangers: Slash From The Past

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Round One

Pittsburgh Penguins

vs.

New York Rangers

I've been having flashbacks and recurring nightmares about the 1991-1992 playoffs for a week now.  

That team was exciting, featuring several holdovers like Mike Gartner, John Vandbiesbrouck, Darren Turcotte, James Patrick, and John Ogrodnick.  But new Rangers were being planted in the Garden, like Jeff Beukeboom, Tony Amonte, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, Mike Richter, and league MVP Mark Messier.  The Rangers posted a 50-25-5 (105 points) that season and claimed the Presidents' Trophy.

This year's team posted a 52-24-6 (110 points) record.  Like the 91-92 team who had a young goalie named Mike Ritcher, this team has Igor Shesterkin, and like Adam Graves, who in 1994 scored 52 goals, this team has Chris Kreider, who did the same.  Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin are this team's Brian Leetch and Messier.

In the first round of the 91-92 playoffs, the Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils in seven, then faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in round two, just as this team will do beginning Tuesday evening at Madison Square Garden.

During game two of that series, Adam Graves earned a four-game suspension for administering a two-handed slash to the left wrist of Mario Lemieux.  The Rangers lost that series in six games.

Sidney Crosby was mentored by Mario Lemieux.

You know where I'm going with this ...

Mario is probably on the phone at this very minute instructing his hockey padawan.

N.Y. Rangers Bring Goals and Salutations to Seattle

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SUNDAY

Rangers      3

KRAKEN     1

FINAL

For the first time, the New York Rangers ventured to Seattle to face off against the expansion Kraken.

Chris Kreider continues to impact games.  

He's crowding the crease area and converting passes.  

Kreider did it again on Sunday.  He gave the Rangers an early lead on yet another tip-in just 3:38 into the first period off a feed from Barclay Goodrow.  

Sunday marks his third goal in his last two games, four goals in his previous four games, and seven goals overall through the Rangers' first nine games.  

That's one way to carry a team.  Another is between the pipes.

Igor Shesterkin was again masterful.  He faced 32 total shots, making eight PK saves and 23 at even strength while allowing just one even-strength goal midway through the second period.  Then consider the Rangers mustered just 18 shots on goal of their own and blocked 21 other Kraken attempts.  

Igor has allowed a goal or less in four of his last five starts.  He has now made seven starts against two by Alexandar Georgiev.

Let's give Shesterkin an assist as well on Adan Fox's go-ahead goal in the third.  He made a key save, after which Kappo Kakko made a brilliant long outlet pass put right on the stick of Artemi Panarin, which has gone unspoken.

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Rebounds With Shutout Against Columbus Blue Jackets

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

FRIDAY

Blue Jackets  0

RANGERS    4

FINAL

Chris Kreider Continues Seizing a Lead Role

Igor Shesterkin has now started six of the Rangers' eight games.  On the heels of Monday's blowout at the hands of the Calgary Flames, Shesterkin answers back with his best performance to date against Columbus.

The Rangers killed off three Blue Jacket penalties.  Shesterkin was required to make four special team saves.  Otherwise, he faced 31 total shots and stopped them all for his first shutout this season and the third of his career.

Ranger centermen generated just one point and ten shots on goal.  Ryan Strome opened the scoring at 12:29 of the first period on Artemi Panarin, and Nils Lundqvist feeds.  For the young Lindqvist, his first point this season.  Three minutes later, Alexis Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a feed from Adam Fox.

After a scoreless second period, Chris Kreider laid to rest any Columbus aspirations for a comeback.  While on a power play, Kreider stuck the dagger in Columbus' side when he tipped in Adam Fox's pass from Panarin.  He then gave it a little twist at 11:23 when he again tipped in feeds from Panarin and Fox. 

Kreider is continuing a fine start.  Through eight games, his performance remains consistent and productive.  Against the Blue Jackets, he led all forwards with seven shots on goal.  Kreider is crowding the crease and cashing in with six goals in eight games, including all four Ranger power-play goals.  Friday's game marks Kreider's second multi-point effort, both against the Rangers' last three opponents.

Said another way, Chris Kreider continues playing like he wants that C stitched to his jersey.

N.Y. Rangers: Late Comeback At Ottawa Marks Fourth Consecutive Win

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY
Rangers    3

Senators   2

FINAL

Chris Kreider Striving To Earn The Elusive "C"

Despite allowing a quick goal, Alexandar Georgiev saved all the Rangers posteriors with a hell of a performance in the first period.  Making his first start since that troublesome season opener at Washington, Georgiev yielded a goal just 0:41 seconds into the game.  But it started with an offensive zone turnover and resulted in an odd-man rush heading his way.

After a scoreless second period, Alexandar Georgiev committed his second cardinal sin of the game, yielding a goal 1:04 into the third period on yet another offensive zone turnover, this time converted unassisted by Josh Norris.

With six minutes left in regulation, Coach Gallant had a few things to say, and the Rangers suddenly decided to play hockey.  

Parker Kelly got whistled for hooking K'Andre Miller at the 13:48 mark.  One minute later, Chris Kreider was precisely where he should have been and converted feeds from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zebanijad.  But the play was created initially by brilliant skating and possession from Adam Fox.  Senator goalie Matt Murray was also injured (head) on the play and left the game, although Kreider did make a discernable effort to avoid contact.

The Rangers took full advantage of a cold Anton Forsberg playing in relief of Murray.  Just over one minute later, Ryan Lindgren tips in a feed from Kreider and fine secondary assist by Fox, tying the game at two.  A little over two minutes later, Jacob Trouba secures the puck near the blue line, spins, and fires a shot towards the net.  Barclay Goodrow is there to tip it home for an abrupt comeback and 3-2 victory over the Sens.

Alexandar Georgiev earns his first win, stopping 26 of 28 total shots and keeping the Rangers in the game more importantly.  

In Georgiev's first start, the Caps went 3 for 6 on the power play.  Afterwhich, the Rangers held Dallas to one goal in two penalty kills.  They've since held their last four opponents scoreless in 13 power-play chances and are now 4/21 (19%) on the PK overall.

Adam Fox is so good ... but kudos to Chris Kreider for stepping up.  The now 30-year old Kreider put the Rangers on the board then helped them tie the game at two.  

Kreider is notorious for being a streaky scorer.  After netting goals in the season's first three games, he went scoreless against Toronto and Nashville, two games won by the Rangers.  Saturday, Chris returned front and center at a most opportune time.  But this is about context, and thanks to a fast start, he is indeed up to four goals, but one should consider he has two goals in his last four games.  Saturday's goal is early evidence of much-needed staying power - a punctuation mark if you will.  This is the kind of player Kreider needs to be, limiting those extended scoreless streaks to just a few games at a time.

That's what people who wanna wear the C do. 

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Offering No Quarter

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

THURSDAY

RANGERS      3

PREDATORS  1

FINAL

Igor Shesterkin and Penalty Kill Lift Rangers To Third Consecutive Win

Alexandar Georgiev has not seen ice since his opening night defeat against the Washington Capitals.  He faced 27 shots that night and let five get through - three on the penalty kill, one shorthanded, and one at even strength.  Some were arguably soft, others not so much.

Making his first start against Dallas, Igor Shesterkin committed the cardinal sin when he allowed that first-period goal with 0:35 left on the clock.  That raised an eyebrow.   He then allowed a power-play goal in the second.  But it's worth noting all the Ranger skaters allowed four goals on eight power-play opportunities afforded to the Caps and Stars.  Otherwise, the Rangers, of course, lost to Dallas just 1:38 into overtime.

The penalty kill has since tightened up.  Montreal, Toronto, and the Preds finished their games against the Rangers 0/3 on the power play.

Over his last three starts, Igor Shesterkin has allowed just one goal by each of the previously mentioned opponents.  Said another way, he has faced 101 shots on goal over the last three games and stopped all but three.  His 41-save performance against the Maple Leafs was quite commendable.  Artemi Panarin doesn't score the game-winner in overtime without him.

Against Nashville, the power play went 0 for 4, but the Rangers were able to play with a lead.  Filip Chytl scored just 2:12 into the first period on feeds by Alexis Lafreniere and Sammy Blais.

Nashville's Phillip Tomasino evened things up at 7:01 of the second period.

But the Rangers retake the lead midway through the third on Alexis Lafreniere's second goal this season with assists from Adam Fox (his third) and Sammy Blais, his second of the game.  Afterwhich, Barclay Goodrow's goal with 0:06 seconds left in regulation closes out the scoring. 

For Filip Chytil, his first goal of the season.  Before losing him last season to injury, Chytil had eight goals and 14 assists in 42 games.  I'm hoping like hell he plays himself into being this team's top-line center or having him together on a line with Kakkoo Kappo and Alexis Lafreniere.

N.Y. Rangers: First Line Front and Center at Montreal

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

FIRST WIN

With Injuries to Kappo Kakko and Ryan Strome, First Line Must Carry Rangers

It can now be said the Ranger season is underway.  It took three games, but they went from blowout to overtime loss to victory.

Coach Gallant's first line contributed four points towards the victory.  Chris Kreider opened the scoring on a power play midway through the second period on feeds from Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox.  After Montreal tied the game at one in the third period, Alexis Lafreniere answered just 0:26 seconds later on assists by Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.

The first line (Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere) accounted for 13 (54%) of the Rangers' 24 shots on goal.  Chris Kreider scored his third goal,  Zibanejad picked up his third assist, and Lafreniere scored in front of his home area crowd.

It's too early in the season for me to start wrangling over Mika Zibanejad's first-line qualifications.  We knew early last season he was recovering from a bout with COVID.  To what degree that affected his season-long play, we will not know.  All we can do is compare this season's performance against the previous two campaigns.  In the meantime, the Rangers demonstrated their faith in him with a lucrative contract.  To that point, three points in three games is an excellent way to start proving one's worth.

Chris Kreider is a car of another stable.  Like Zibanejad, he has three points through the first three games, all goals.  Are we now to expect a long drought of pointless games?  Because that's what his career trends suggest.  

Last season Kreider posted twenty goals and ten assists in fifty games.  He scored three goals through the first 15 games, then caught fire with eight goals over his next six games, giving him eleven goals through the season's first 21 games.  Kreider then finished out the season with seven goals and 15 points in his last 29 games.  He scored just three points in eleven games in one late-season stretch from March 27 through April 15. 

If and when someone impacts this team with sustained, tangible, and meaningful leadership, then you sew the C on their sweater.  Until then, I agree with Coach Gallant: let these guys keep having to prove themselves.

• Kappo Kakko sustained an upper-body injury in the first period and was placed on the injured reserve list, and Ryan Strome is still in concussion protocol.

N.Y. Rangers: New Off-Broadway Order

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE GRESCHNER'S NUMBER!

The Chris Drury/Gerard Gallant Era Begins

How appropriate that the Rangers should start the new season against the Washington Capitals.  Lest we forget, it was Tom Wilson's indiscretions against Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin that generated a season-ending maelstrom at Madison Square Garden.  

To this day, I'm still very conflicted over the way last season, and the former regime came to an abrupt and fateful end.  I was a major proponent of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson and in lockstep with their rebuild.  However, a continued lack of physicality remained an outstanding issue and was brought to a head after playing Washington.

Yes!  Jim Dolan meddled in Ranger affairs unlike any other time since being handed stewardship of the team by his father.  That is an entirely different conversation.  In any event, I was still never wholly comfortable and settled with the new front office for as long as Glen Sather remained in the room - again, another conversation.

I heard all the rumors and scuttlebutt and read every account, and I am still unable to decipher what exactly happened and whether I agree with any of it or not.

That being said, I am yet to protest the respective dismissals of Gorton and Davidson.  Nor am I averse to moving forward under Chris Drury with Gerard Gallant as head coach.

This was easily the strangest off-season in my life as a Ranger fan.

Insofar as Wednesday night's opener, 

... terrible.

Five goals allowed on 27 Washington shots on goal, three goals allowed on the power play, and two second-period goals scored within 0:24 seconds of each other.

Alexandar Georgiev looked out of sorts, just 22 saves and none on the penalty kill.

Big money man Mika Zibanejad led all forwards with 25 shifts and 20:26 minutes but generated no assists, no goals, and not a single shot on goal.

I do not want Chris Kreider as captain of this team, although he did score the Rangers' only goal.