The Rangers rebounded from the heartbreaking 4-3 triple overtime loss, notching a 5-2 Game 2 win Thursday. Artmei Panarin and Frank Vatrano each notched three points while Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves in the victory to help New York even the series, Game 3 is Saturday night at the PPG Paints Arena with Game 4 Monday and Game 5 back at MSG on Wednesday.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1)
Lineup: in the pre-game meeting with the media, coach Gerard Gallant noted that Ryan Lindgren was a game-time decision, a slight change from the night before when he said Lindgren should be active. In addition, Gallant noted a few players were banged up and game-time decisions, so lineup changes could happen. That most certainly ended up being the case.
Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafrenière-Chytil-Kakko
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Fox
Nemeth-Schneider
Shesterkin
Scratches: Lindgren (lower-body), Goodrow (undisclosed), Motte (upper-body), Gauthier, McKegg, Tinordi, Jones, Hajek, Gettinger, Lundkvist, Robertson, Pajuniemi, Brodzinski, Huska, Kinkaid
Goodrow missed the game with a lower body injury. Speculation is a broken foot suffered when blocking a shot in the first overtime Tuesday. Still amazed that a skate insert either hasn't been developed or won't be used to help prevent these injuries. Post-game, Gallant said Goodrow is week to week and Friday morning stated that Goodrow is out the rest of this round.
Stepping in for Goodrow was Dryden Hunt, who had a fairly solid game. Losing Goodrow removes a playoff veteran, someone who can move up and down the lineup and take key draws, adding to the pressure on Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere in general and between the dots. For now, it will be Hunt.
In some good news, Tyler Motte, sidelined with an upper body since the April 7 game against Pittsburgh, skated this morning and will travel to Pittsburgh. While he likely won't play Saturday, the mere fact he is skating and traveling with the team is a significant positive factor. I would think Game 5 is more of a likelihood and his presence lengthens and toughens the lineup.
With Goodrow out, Ryan Reaves remained in. I admit I was wrong in recommending him sitting. The negatives of playing him were offset by the physical presence he brings and slight deterrent he provides to the opponent that any cheap shots will be retaliated against. This was the case late in the case when it started to get chippy.
Lindgren did not play, nor was he on the ice at the optional practice Friday. He is travelling to Pittsburgh, but I would think he is doubtful for Game 3 and questionable for Game 4. In his stead, Justin Braun dressed paired with Adam Fox. Braun was fine, not great, other than Sidney Crosby's goal, which was an elite player making an elite play, he was fairly solid. K'Andre Miller continues to be the team's best d-man.
Pittsburgh was without Rickard Rakell, injured in Game 1 on what was viewed as a questionable check, and Jason Zucker, who may be close to playing. In addition, Brian Dumoulin was out, though other than playoff experience, unsure he was missed by the Penguins. Pittsburgh might get somewhat healthier as the series wears on, which would bolster their lineup.
2)
Goaltending: Igor was Igor. He kept the Rangers afloat the first six minutes of the third when the score was 3-2 and Pittsburgh was pushing. Looking at the advanced metrics, see below, show a game closer than the final score. The difference being netminding, which isn't a surprise, especially with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith out, and the Rangers getting support scoring rather than just one or two people.
The Penguins out-attempt Rangers 56-49 at even-strength.
They had an xGF% of 63.54.
They owned shot quality with an 18-5 in high-danger chances at 5v5.
I watched the Jeff Carter-Shesterkin "collision" a few times. The view that some have that Igor leaned in and stuck his leg, I can see to a small extent. The lean, yes, leg out, less so, but Carter clearly did little to avoid the collision. Fortunately, Shesterkin, who embellished a little, was not injured.
Louie Domingue was fairly solid. He made a ridiculous save on Mika Zibanejad, aided by his glove being on his right hand. I don't think New York took "advantage" of Domingue, but did benefit from Jarry and deSmith being out. Today, news broke that DeSmith had core surgery and will miss the remainder of the series. The injury likely occurred when stretching for a save
3)
Panarin had three points, but I don't think he is playing great. His neutral zone turnover led to Pittsburgh's first goal. But his play was certainly better than in Game 1, though he is not shooting enough.
The
top line was dominated again by Guenzel-Crosby-Rust, though I don't think any other line would be better. Chris Kreider notched his typical deflection goal, while as noted above, Vatrano had a big game offensively. His speed and shoot first mentality were on display on his goal. He beat Mike Matheson down the boards, then Domingue wide for his tally. The deadline additions of Andrew Copp, who scored as well, Vatrano etc. have made a material difference and allowed New York to plug and play, filling holes created by injuries.
4)
Looking forward: To win Game 3
- the Rangers need to continue to shoot and shoot often on Domingue, changing angles and making him adjust. They did a nice job of not just lobbing shots on net, though only eight of their 40 shots were deemed high-danger chances.
- Second, stay out of the box. Pittsburgh showed they can be dangerous on the PP in Game 1. Yesterday, New York only gave the Penguins two power plays.
- Third, this bridges off #2, but be smart. The refs may look to even up the calls, driven by some of the post-game comments from Mike Sullivan, even though the man-advantage was fairly even, as the fourth PP for New York came late after the Carter collision when the score was already decided.
- Fourth, production from the third line. If the Kid Line can contribute offensively, the pressure gets alleviated a bit from the top-six.
- Last, limit the egregious neutral zone turnovers that create counter attacks. The Pens first goal occurred that way and the defense didn't recover quick enough to prevent a golden chance.
Just Win Baby.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»