Jan Levine: Game 2: PITT 3 NYR 0, Rangers Outclassed, Series Even, Game 3, MSG Tonight Score doesn't reflect how well Pittsburgh and how poorly New York played

Nice blog. It drives me nuts that they were off-sides so many times last night. At one time on an odd man rush, Dorsett is right there looking down the line and was still off-sides. come on get your head in the game.

Rick Nash has actually played pretty well this postseason despite the stat line

But he has 1 goal in 21 postseason games with the Rangers, at what point do you demand more of him beyond the eye test?

Rick Nash has actually played pretty well this postseason despite the stat line

But he has 1 goal in 21 postseason games with the Rangers, at what point do you demand more of him beyond the eye test?
- FourFeathers773

Last week.

Good blog Jan. One note on Bortuzzo, most of us are hoping he stays in the lineup in favor of Scuderi when Orpik is healthy. He brings a snarl/mean factor that this D corps otherwise doesn't have.

Nice blog Hard-J Jan.

Someone pointed out earlier that the Pens would be facing the same rough schedule as the Rangers had they not closed out Columbus in game six. The Rangers barely showed up in their game six against the Flyers and now have to pay the price, which after watching last night appears to be steep. I think a lot of us Pens fans wish the fatigue factor was more balanced for a fairer series, but like Ryan said in his blog if there's a weakness, you capitalize.

Nice blog Hard-J Jan.

Someone pointed out earlier that the Pens would be facing the same rough schedule as the Rangers had they not closed out Columbus in game six. The Rangers barely showed up in their game six against the Flyers and now have to pay the price, which after watching last night appears to be steep. I think a lot of us Pens fans wish the fatigue factor was more balanced for a fairer series, but like Ryan said in his blog if there's a weakness, you capitalize.
- Topshelf Mountain

I dont think anyone is saying the schedule was to favor any team. Its just a ridiculous schedule. As Jan pointed out, it makes no sense.

I dont think anyone is saying the schedule was to favor any team. Its just a ridiculous schedule. As Jan pointed out, it makes no sense.
- mdw7413

Definitely not the Penguins fault the NHL scheduled the series like this. It's partly the NHL'S fault and partly the Rangers fault. If the Rangers hold to that 2-0 in game two vs. Philly than none of us are talking about fatigue right now.

I dont think anyone is saying the schedule was to favor any team. Its just a ridiculous schedule. As Jan pointed out, it makes no sense.
- mdw7413

The Pens only had 1 more day off, i doubt that day was spent in a hyperbaric chamber, they're in the same boat, played last night and had to travel, if anything they would be more tired with the effort they put out last night, Rangers can't be tired when you failed to much of an effort

Good blog Jan. One note on Bortuzzo, most of us are hoping he stays in the lineup in favor of Scuderi when Orpik is healthy. He brings a snarl/mean factor that this D corps otherwise doesn't have.
- Emperor Filonius

Thanks for the correction. Of change occurs, will make sure to add the rationale you provided in the blog.

I doubt we get another chance to take a 2-game lead in this series. I know going into it, you take a split on the road, but once we have that chance to go up 2-0, you have to seize the opportunity. We could not do that, and I don't see how it doesn't come back to haunt us. You can only walk a tightrope for so long.

I doubt we get another chance to take a 2-game lead in this series. I know going into it, you take a split on the road, but once we have that chance to go up 2-0, you have to seize the opportunity. We could not do that, and I don't see how it doesn't come back to haunt us. You can only walk a tightrope for so long.
- AgraipVigneaurd

Yea, but if it comes down to needing to win a 1 game series in the end, 100 people out of 100 are taking Lundqvist over Fleury.

NYR can afford to trade games until the end IMO

Yea, but if it comes down to needing to win a 1 game series in the end, 100 people out of 100 are taking Lundqvist over Fleury.

NYR can afford to trade games until the end IMO
- FourFeathers773

I agree, I would take Lundqvist over Fleury any day. However, the quality of offense that each team provides is not equal either. As seen last night, The King could outplay The Flower and still lose.

The Pens only had 1 more day off, i doubt that day was spent in a hyperbaric chamber, they're in the same boat, played last night and had to travel, if anything they would be more tired with the effort they put out last night, Rangers can't be tired when you failed to much of an effort
- cranford93

Yeah but they also played 60 minutes less of playoff hockey over that 1 day.... If both teams went to game 7 and the Pens had 1 more day off, I don't think it would be as big of a factor but having to play an extra game is huge.

I think it served the Rangers better in game one as Pittsburgh came out a little flat but the Rangers looked exhausted by games end and I doubt they get their legs back by tonight.... Crosby and Malkin both played between 20-22 minutes last night and 4 minutes was on the PP so essentially 17 minutes of 5 on 5 which is perfect for a back to back.

Think the series comes down to tonight.... Rangers win and it's going 7.. Pens win and it might be over in 5 especially if they control the puck for 75% of the 5 on 5 time.

Good luck tonight everyone

Good blog Jan. One note on Bortuzzo, most of us are hoping he stays in the lineup in favor of Scuderi when Orpik is healthy. He brings a snarl/mean factor that this D corps otherwise doesn't have.
- Emperor Filonius

Dirty SOB, maybe the third time he attempts to injure St. Louis he will be successful

well, all in all I just can't believe we aren't going to sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins

Dirty SOB, maybe the third time he attempts to injure St. Louis he will be successful
- Blueshirts4ever

There are no choirboys this time of year Sil. Pens fans can easily single out Dorsett for his after the whistle hits/stuff, of course he paid the ultimate price as the Pens scored the backbreaker on his stupid penalty.

well, all in all I just can't believe we aren't going to sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins
- jimbo83

It was a forgone conclusion the Pens were winning that game last night, our 0-1000 in the last attempts of taking a 2 game lead in a series & the Pens instilling they're will on us so they didn't lose the first 2 at home. It all plays into tonight with NO rest, wth is going to happen? I have no idea. I just know Rangers in 7.

Its amazing how so many fans of the opposition show up in yet, when you read the Pens board rarely do you see fans from our team. We get it, Fleury can be so-so and still win bc you have a loaded roster. Fair enough. We get it, we are a softer version of the Columbus Blue Jackets with a better goaltender, we get it. Just bugs me that after the other team wins, in this case Pittsburgh, all of you like to pop in here for conversation, other than maybe one or two of you where were you after Friday night.

I'm fired up, it took me a little longer today but to hell with the Penguins. LGR!!!

There are no choirboys this time of year Sil. Pens fans can easily single out Dorsett for his after the whistle hits/stuff, of course he paid the ultimate price as the Pens scored the backbreaker on his stupid penalty.
- B2B76

i know that and you're right but those guys are on that team not ours and Dorsett is a jackass too, I made that very clear and I'm suddenly raring to go for tonight, its my way of working myself up to despising the opposition. We can play nice with their fans in the off-season, not now.

There are no choirboys this time of year Sil. Pens fans can easily single out Dorsett for his after the whistle hits/stuff, of course he paid the ultimate price as the Pens scored the backbreaker on his stupid penalty.
- B2B76

Yep. No issues with Dorestt, or Dubinsky in the previous round...they are getting paid to disrupt the other team's star players. Its part and parcel to the NHL playoffs. IMHO, one the biggest issues they have had the past few years is that teams have had too easy a go of it around the Penguins net and have been crashing in without any fear. Bortuzzo provides that fear factor that he's at a minimum going to hit you, quite possibly illegally. I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but every team needs an bumhole this time of year.

Its amazing how so many fans of the opposition show up in yet, when you read the Pens board rarely do you see fans from our team. We get it, Fleury can be so-so and still win bc you have a loaded roster. Fair enough. We get it, we are a softer version of the Columbus Blue Jackets with a better goaltender, we get it. Just bugs me that after the other team wins, in this case Pittsburgh, all of you like to pop in here for conversation, other than maybe one or two of you where were you after Friday night.

I'm fired up, it took me a little longer today but to hell with the Penguins. LGR!!!
- Blueshirts4ever

Don't forget I stopped by to congratulate yinz guys on Friday when you won. Fair is fair. Jan is a good writer and always a good read. I think its safe to say you are welcome on our blog as long as it stays respectable, which I think most Pens fans coming here usually abide by. If people coming here from our group act like douchebags, then by all mean let them have it.

Don't forget I stopped by to congratulate yinz guys on Friday when you won. Fair is fair. Jan is a good writer and always a good read. I think its safe to say you are welcome on our blog as long as it stays respectable, which I think any Pens fan coming here usually abides by.
- Emperor Filonius

Yes you did, and wasn't singling you out, I am just being territorial right now, its like walking into the other team's dressing room

Yes you did, and wasn't singling you out, I am just being territorial right now, its like walking into the other team's dressing room
- Blueshirts4ever

Lol, no problem. I'll try not to step on the logo.

And btw, if I was a Ranger fan, I'd totally want to punch Borts in the mush. (and then run away before he killed me)

Yes you did, and wasn't singling you out, I am just being territorial right now, its like walking into the other team's dressing room
- Blueshirts4ever

I have no problem with opposing fans in here unless they are a holes, playoffs or not. At my age now I welcome intelligent hockey talk, instead of Pens suck, Rangers suck...yawn.