Jan Levine: Game 1: PITT 4 NYR 3, Rangers fall in triple-overtime in brutal loss at MSG Epic contest ends on wrong side of the ledger

I give you credit Jan, I don't know how you can stomach doing a write up after a loss like that.

Just wanna crawl into a hole and die

I give you credit Jan, I don't know how you can stomach doing a write up after a loss like that.

Just wanna crawl into a hole and die
- jimbro83

This was a tough one. As bad as they played at times they had some great play. They have to lock it down more defensively. Need way more from Panarin line and a game plan against the Crosby line. Reaves doesn’t cut it out there

I give you credit Jan, I don't know how you can stomach doing a write up after a loss like that.

Just wanna crawl into a hole and die
- jimbro83

I do, believe me, I do. Was not an easy blog to write.

On the disallowed goal, I was 50/50. At first I said there's no way it was a goal because DeSmith got run over. Then on the first replay, looked like it was totally on Dumoulin and I figured it should be a goal.

But then you have the clause where he would have made contact with the goalie regardless of the defenseman is where it gets gray. I don't know how Kakko, at that angle, would have been able to avoid contact with or without Dumoulin. But it's not certain, and I'd be mad if that call went against my team.

Either way, that was a REALLY fun game to watch regardless of the outcome.

Hell of a game, Shesterkin is a monster. Most of OT was 50/50. Both teams traded some chances and the goalies had to make some impressive saves.

I give you credit Jan, I don't know how you can stomach doing a write up after a loss like that.

Just wanna crawl into a hole and die
- jimbro83

Ugh.
So frustrated.

How ya holding up Brukie? I got home a 2am.
Looked for you in the 500's but didn't see anyone who looked like a rotten piece of tit meat...so I moved on.

That hit on Rakell was probably high...that disallowed goal was probably a goal. Funny how things in hockey often even themselves out. But Reaves sloshing around isn't going to work. Time to put someone with legs out there for game 2.

On the disallowed goal, I was 50/50. At first I said there's no way it was a goal because DeSmith got run over. Then on the first replay, looked like it was totally on Dumoulin and I figured it should be a goal.

But then you have the clause where he would have made contact with the goalie regardless of the defenseman is where it gets gray. I don't know how Kakko, at that angle, would have been able to avoid contact with or without Dumoulin. But it's not certain, and I'd be mad if that call went against my team.

Either way, that was a REALLY fun game to watch regardless of the outcome.
- jmatchett383

Referee standing 12 ft. away ruled it a GOOD goal live. The replay shows Dumoulin shoving Kakko from behind forcing him into goalie. Dumoulin winds up ON TOP of DeSmith, which is why goalie can't get up or get back into crease. I will NEVER understand how this goal was disallowed. TERRIBLE call.

How ya holding up Brukie? I got home a 2am.
Looked for you in the 500's but didn't see anyone who looked like a rotten piece of tit meat...so I moved on.
- climbdenali12

I still blame Brukie.

Referee standing 12 ft. away ruled it a GOOD goal live. The replay shows Dumoulin shoving Kakko from behind forcing him into goalie. Dumoulin winds up ON TOP of DeSmith, which is why goalie can't get up or get back into crease. I will NEVER understand how this goal was disallowed. TERRIBLE call.
- TommyGTrain

- Fenrir

- jmatchett383

Obviously.

Obviously.
- Fenrir

I'm not saying there was no contact; there was. The question is: Could he have avoided contact with the goalie had Dumoulin not pushed him. He's coming almost directly across the crease, and at that angle, it would be hard (not impossible) to avoid contact. THAT is the part that makes it more 50/50 as opposed to a "TERRIBLE call."

However, I do agree that it should be more like the NFL where the call on the ice stands unless you have conclusive evidence the other way. I felt this was more gray.

How ya holding up Brukie? I got home a 2am.
Looked for you in the 500's but didn't see anyone who looked like a rotten piece of tit meat...so I moved on.
- climbdenali12

Oh yeah, I got home at 2 also, whoof, pretty exhausting game. What a roller coaster. Hey no matter what, for most of the players on this team, first time in the playoffs and a triple OT game. This is how you get playoff experience!!

As the saying goes, when your third and forth lines score in the playoffs, you win. Well our third line scored and then of course they took it away.

The dumbass behind me says holy poop I cant believe Igor will set the record for most saves, when he was at 80, I said dont say that, its like jinxing it. Of course 2 minutes later they scored, I looked at the guy, he was apologizing profusely!!

Panarin playing hurt??

The outcome sucks but you cant get a better welcome back to the playoffs than this!!! Its only the first game. 6 more to go!!!

Hell of a game, Shesterkin is a monster. Most of OT was 50/50. Both teams traded some chances and the goalies had to make some impressive saves.
- SuperHenderson13

I thought the game was pretty evenly matched throughout except period 1 rangers dominated and period 2 rangers were run out of the building. Rangers need an answer for the Crosby line

I'm not saying there was no contact; there was. The question is: Could he have avoided contact with the goalie had Dumoulin not pushed him. He's coming almost directly across the crease, and at that angle, it would be hard (not impossible) to avoid contact. THAT is the part that makes it more 50/50 as opposed to a "TERRIBLE call."

However, I do agree that it should be more like the NFL where the call on the ice stands unless you have conclusive evidence the other way. I felt this was more gray.
- jmatchett383

I never even screamed when it went in. I knew it wasn’t counting once it happen. Wether it’s the right call or not is irrelevant it’s meant to be. Now if that was Crosby, Ovie, Oreilly, name any other player in the sport and it’s a good goal. And that’s what really sucks being a ranger fan. We just don’t get the call to go our way, virtually ever

I never even screamed when it went in. I knew it wasn’t counting once it happen. Wether it’s the right call or not is irrelevant it’s meant to be. Now if that was Crosby, Ovie, Oreilly, name any other player in the sport and it’s a good goal. And that’s what really sucks being a ranger fan. We just don’t get the call to go our way, virtually ever
- Slimtj100

Hey, I'm first and foremost a Flyers fan; I know the feeling. 2009, Game 3 (or 4), Crosby slides into Marty Biron and then the puck trickles in while they're both literally in the net. Call: good goal.

this was allowed

Great write up Jan, as a salty Isles fan who is sitting and watching this spring, that overturned call was terrible. It's a great challenge by Pitt and the dman did a nice job directing Kakko towards the goaltender. That said, Kappo drove the net and IMO, there was not enough there to overturn. If that was an Isles goal taken away I would have been just as heated.

The Rangers need to get back to what makes them successful, which is what they did in the 1st period. I thought they got away from their game and allowed Pitt to control play for the remainder of the game.

I'm not saying there was no contact; there was. The question is: Could he have avoided contact with the goalie had Dumoulin not pushed him. He's coming almost directly across the crease, and at that angle, it would be hard (not impossible) to avoid contact. THAT is the part that makes it more 50/50 as opposed to a "TERRIBLE call."

However, I do agree that it should be more like the NFL where the call on the ice stands unless you have conclusive evidence the other way. I felt this was more gray.
- jmatchett383

It is a 50/50 call, and we'll never know if Kakko would have run the goalie if he wasn't pushed.
We wouldn't even be discussing this if the Rangers had won in regulation with the goal disallowed.
Sucks, have to move on to tomorrow's game.

And, yeah, you guys were screwed on that goal. Pens always get the call.

It is a 50/50 call, and we'll never know if Kakko would have run the goalie if he wasn't pushed.
We wouldn't even be discussing this if the Rangers had won in regulation with the goal disallowed.
Sucks, have to move on to tomorrow's game.

And, yeah, you guys were screwed on that goal. Pens always get the call.
- Fenrir

That’s the thing they had at least 10 golden opportunities after that play to win the damn game. Everyone to a man was grabbing the stick to tight. Collectively they looked like a very nervous team, almost afraid to lose. And you simply cant win that way

That’s the thing they had at least 10 golden opportunities after that play to win the damn game. Everyone to a man was grabbing the stick to tight. Collectively they looked like a very nervous team, almost afraid to lose. And you simply cant win that way
- Slimtj100

a lot of bobbling/whiffing of the puck last night that's for sure