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 Face First Round Elimination

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME FOUR

Rangers   2

Penguins 7

FINAL

Penguins Continue Skating Circles Around the Blueshirts

Chris Kreider, after game one, said the Rangers weren't playing together, they lacked cohesion, and everyone was off doing their own thing.  

I concur ...

There is individual effort, and then there is team play.  I'm not sure what the Rangers are trying to do on any given possession.  Whereas the Penguins appear to have a plan each time down the ice.  In the name of Lester Patrick, I want to see more passes from behind the net and more shots from the slot.

After game three, Sidney Crosby said that the Pens kept things simple, put shots on goal, and fought hard for position in front of the net.  

I concur ...

I've been screaming all series for the Rangers to stop being so cute, stop looking for the extra perfect pass, just put shots on net, and clean up the rebounds.

Following game four, Coach Gallant called his team soft in all areas of the ice.  

Once again, I concur ...

Yes, the Rangers are playing minus Ryan Lindgren.  But the defensive decision-making and overall effort have been deplorable.  There's been a lot of standing around, poke-checking, and a lack of physicality in front after the first period of game one.  In turn, they're making Igor Shesterkin look bad while so little of this situation is his fault.  Pittsburgh is securing a firm position and tipping pucks in the net.  The result is 14 goals allowed over the last two games.

Playing without Barclay Goodrow, the Rangers centermen through four games have scored 16 points, led by (non-first line caliber centerman) Mika Zebanejad with four.  Pittsburgh's centermen have posted 21 points, led by Sidney Crosby with nine.

The education of the New York Rangers continues.

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.