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Game 12: BOS 3 NYR 2, OT, done in by the Rat, Panarin injured |
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The Rangers played a solid game, but fell 3-2 to the Bruins. New York carried play early, faltered in the second, then came on in the third. A brilliant play by Adam Fox, who was great all night, prevented a goal early in the OT, then an attempted pass to Fox instead of shot by Pavel Bucnhevich was blocked by Charlie McAvoy, resulting in a breakaway and goal by Brad Marchand. The two teams meet again Friday.
Panarin's injury, shift chart in third period and what coach david Quinn said post game. Looked like either a lower abdominal groin or adductor muscle. Panarin tried to stretch it out on the bench but looked like he couldn't get loose. With a game Friday, you wonder if it tightens up, if he can go. If it;s a mild strain, sit him, as the location and type of injury can get exacerbated and worsen easily. For now, though, we just have to wait and see.
Possession numbers: Brendan Lemiuex and Kevin Rooney very solid, continuing what we have seen recently. Julien Gauthier gets first goal and only plays 6:14, if I have a specific issue on Quinn, it's not playing him especially when he has played well the past few games. Alexis Lafreniere gets first PP minutes, but plays just 12:39m even though Panarin left the game. Plus, for all that is holy, sit Brett Howden when everyone is healthy, he gives you nothing. Play Colin Blackwell when he is ready and Rooney first.
Zib was flying in this game, but couldn't score again. First, he was robbed on a brilliant glove save by Tuukka Rask after a great cross-ice feed by Chris Kreider. Instead of 2-0, stayed 1-0, then 15 seconds later, bad turnover by Panarin and SHG by Chris Wagner to tie the game. Then, later, instead of going backhand on a breakaway, Zib went forehand to the wide side, and Rask got his shoulder on it. He is close to breaking through, and when he does, watch out.
Quinn postgame on 4th line: “they’ve been playing well, I should have played them more. I looked at the minutes and was kind of pissed at myself for not playing them more, so shame on me, but they did a lot of good things. When you are matching lines that can affect everybody’s ice time to a certain degree, but they did a lot of good things tonight and Julien is really coming on, I think he’s gotten better and better in these three games.” Instead of saying it, do it. Lemiuex, Rooney, Gauthier were the best line on the ice for NY and deserved more time. I thought PDG was good as well. Sit Howden more. If Panarin is out, slide Rooney or Gauthier or Blackwell up to that line, not Howden.
Trouba either fell or was tripped by Anders Bjork and no one picked up Bjork in front, goal to make it 2-1. Not a good look for Trouba. He has been slightly better this year, but still not close to earning his salary.
I thought Libor Hajek was good and Anthony Bitetto stuck up for Rooney after he was clocked. Alexandar Georgiev made a ton of great saves, but was burned on two breakaways. I get Quinn is on thin ice with many, but no way I can blame him for the last two losses. If you want to say Laf should be moved up, that's fine, but he was on the first unit PP today. If the big boys start to produce, then the pressure gets taken off everyone else and the team will start winning. He still could be a casualty at year end, but not pulling the plug yet.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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