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Game 2: NYR 3 WAS 2, Kreider Early, Lundqvist Throughout Key Rangers' Win |
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The Rangers were good early and then hung on late to even their series against the Capitals at 1-1. Chris Kreider scored 38 seconds into the contest and Dan Boyle notched a power-play goal at 15:40 of the first to give New York a 2-0 lead. The lead was cut in half in the second and then after New York scored in the third to make it a two-goal budge, Alexander Ovechkin's highlight reel goal make it a one-goal margin. The Rangers were just able to weather the storm to send the series back to Washington at 1-1 for Monday's Game 3.
If I was to grade the overall performance, i likely would give the Rangers a B or B+. They were great in the first, wiping away the bad taste from Thursday's ending, building a 27-6 edge in shot attempts and 18-6 at even strength. Washington was able to stay in the game thanks to excellent goaltending by Braden Holtby. The Caps started to come on, as we expected them to, in the second and carried that into the third. After cutting the 3-1 lead to a one-goal margin, Washington was all over the place, especially down the stretch. If not for Henrik Lundqvist, New York would be down 2-0, but Hank was unreal, making saving several stellar saves to give the Rangers the win.
After Friday's goal, we spoke about a few players needing to step it and they did:
Chris Kreider - not just the goal 38 seconds in but also the physical play throughout the game. He came to Girardi's defense early on and then knocked Ovi down a bit later. Kreider had two breakaway chances late in the second, getting stoned on one and running out of real estate in the other. If he ever really figures it out, holy cow
AV -We weren't happy about the end of game strategy Thursday. I liked the move of moving Fast up to play with Kreider and Stepan with Miller shifting down to skate with Hayes and Hagelin. The defense was fairly solid, with Staal-Boyle, Yandle-Klein as the other two pairings besides the McD-G. Late in the game, the Rangers did get fortunate on a few plays, as Girardi slid by Backstrom but he missed the net, then Lundqvist made a great pad on Backstrom and Green also missed the net after getting open in the slot. But the team was ready to play with no adverse hangover from Thursday, as AV was pretty clear he thought they can be better and they were.
Dan Boyle - got the PPG when the puck died around the boards, which is now getting called the "Eric Clapton goal." That is because Clapton played Friday and when the stadium was configured back to hockey, it's possible there was a little bit sticking out from the stanchion. Was beaten on Kuz's goal. Boyle had good position but failed to also lift or push Kuz's stick down, allowing him to score. We will need to take the good with the bad and hope the good just outweighs the bad.
Rick Nash - much better. His screen on Braden Holtby prevented him from seeing the puck on Boyle's goal. Nash also made his patented drive to the middle move, which almost led to a Derick Brassard goal on a rebound in the second. In the third, his pass to Martin St. Louis helped set up Brassard's goal. But he will still be evaluated on scoring.
He is not Ovi or Crosby and maybe we all need to stop comparing him to him. He has to score, no question and his salary draws those comparisons. But those two are the elite of the elite and he is not that. You want to say he needs be like Parise or Pacioretty or someone of that ilk, absolutely, and he does need to score, but he also was big-time yesterday throughout the game.
Some other thoughts:
Henrik Lundqvist - the reason why New York won, as it was an unreal game for him. He came in angry and it showed in his play. Lundqvist was solid positionally, and as you will see below, spectacular at times. He was matched almost step-for-step by Holtby, but Lundqvist was slightly better and that's why the Rangers won.
Lundqvist save on Ovi:
Lundqvist save on Brouwer:
Ovechkin - world-class player. maybe the best in the game. A threat every time on the ice even 100+ feet away. A goal that maybe on he could score; the scariest part of which was the power on the shot.
Ovi goal:
(thanks to Stehanie Vail for all the gifs)
Officiating - horrific. A pansification interference call on Brassard. A missed offsides call that almost led to Troy Brouwer's goal (see gif above). Find a way to get it right and more important, be consistent.
New York did just enough to win the game. They will have to better in Game 3, as when Washington really gets going, they have carried the play. The Rangers have been "Road Warriors" all season, they need to be it again Monday and Wednesday.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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