Pittsburgh Explodes in 3rd
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Pittsburgh Penguins scored 5, count them 5, 3rd period goals and blew out the Rangers by a final score of 6-2. The game itself started out very well for the Rangers. Nikolai Zherdev rifled a wristshot past Marc Andre Fleury to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Petr Sykora evened it up by swatting a puck by Lundqvist as he was being bumped by a Penguins player.
I thought the Rangers had the better scoring chances in the 1st period as well as the 2nd period. The Rangers outshot the Penguins 26-17 over 2 periods. I started to get that uneasy feeling that's been with me all year... dominate, but can't score and the 3rd period was the unraveling of the Rangers. Jordan Staal's innocent backhand from behind the net went off of Lundqvist's stick, then his skate, for a 2-1 Penguin lead (Lundqvist had some trouble with the easy ones tonight, maybe a little rusty?). Then, it all went down hill fast as Kris Letang (a beautiful shot) and Petr Sykora (Ranger killer lately?) gave Pittsburgh all they needed to put it on cruise control. Marc Staal cut the lead to 2, but Letang wheeled his way through the Ranger team for his 2nd of the game and of course, Sidney Crosby would finish the Rangers off with a nice backhand to make the final score 6-2.
My thoughts on the game are that the Rangers obviously played well for 2 periods and had many opportunities to take at least a 2 goal lead into the 3rd period. But, this is the Rangers... a team that, to put it nicely - struggles to score. Period, end of story. I've come to realize, begrudgingly, that in order for the Rangers to win they must play the low scoring 3-2, 2-1, type of game. It's that simple. Low scoring games might not be what the Ranger faithful want, but unless there is a major trade this is the way that it will have to happen. Just my opinion. Kind of like the win against Carolina, that's been the Rangers in a nutshell this season. It's not all gloom and doom though... 5-2-1 in the last 7, but it's going to be a tough one in Beantown on Saturday. Over and out.
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Update: I will be attending Adam Graves night tomorrow at the Garden. Be back with a report!
19 comments:
Well, that game got out of hand rather quickly. All it took was the 2 flukey goals by Pitts and then the floodgates opened. The Rangers are cursed in that building it seems.
Boston took a tough loss tonight against Jersey after mounting a great comeback. Going to be a tough one on Saturday, that's for sure.
Wrath of Sanity: Wrath, the 3rd period was the undoing of the Rangers.
This team as it is cannot score and you keep teams in the game even though you have outplayed them for the most part.
The Pittsburgh game is a perfect example of this.
Saturday's game at Boston will indeed be a tough one , let's hope they bounce back or the fall will continue.
I feel like writing about the Rangers ability to play themselves out of games. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the results were completely opposite, but the team played themselves out of both games. Two on one after two on one. No goals. No creativity. No soft touch. Regardless who it was.
We all agree that The Rangers have a need for additional scoring. Renney reconstitutes the lust to recreate the NJ Devils cup teams every time he is asked about the low scoring punch of the Rangers. It needs to be clarified that the NJ Devils Cup winning teams did not go out and score one first and beat you 1-0. Or even 2-1. No. Cup contenders score 3,4 5 goals on there way to a defensive minded Stanley Cup. Renney MUST recognize this deficiency in his roster set up every night. And begin to inject a more opportunistic approach in building an insurmountable lead. Renney cannot and will not go far with a 1-4 check after a one goal lead or after giving up the tying goal. The reason the one goal lead evaporates is directly correlated to the 1-4 check in place and the over use of defensive players.
I recommend that Callahan be moved the Betts line and either Prucha or Parrenteu be put into the line up while Colton Orr takes his well earned (1 goal in 2 years) spot in the stands. The toughness will emerge if needed from productive players.
Hi Chris, do you think our coach will give a chance quite rapidly to Reitz?
Hey Chris the Leafs played a good game against the Avs last night. We will see how they make out on Saturday when they play Pittsburg. I see Florida is playing well,that is good for them because they are long over due for a good season and possibly the playoffs.
Howdy Chris..well a tough game today against the B's..What to you know of Reitz...seems to be a tough D-man who will drop his gloves...and...Shanny...too old...my ass...3 goals already..see how the Devils came back against the pens? I have to say the Devils are now the team to beat in the east with Boston a very close second...As is Rangers will be in the bottom 4 of the playoff brackets and thats not good for this team as its likely we will play one of those two teams in the first round..I have a feeling we are a one and done team as is entering the playoffs...any rumblings on possible trade rumors involving the Rangers?
We-can't-score.
JohnM: JohnM, Can't disagree with your take on the Blue Shirts.
Scoring has and will be a problem with this current lineup.
Jeff: Jeff, It certainly can't hurt. It's good opportunity for Reitz now that Kalinin might be out with a injury.
Mr.Greek: Mr.Greek, I see the Leafs beat Pittsburgh as well (Helping out the Rangers).
Remember The Leafs are a work in Progress and things will be better in the next few years.
Florida has looked good and not so good. It all depends on which team shows up down the stretch run.
Leatherneck: Leatherneck,Same old story no scoring.
Reitz looks like he's not shy about being physical or dropping the mitts.
Looks like he'll get his chance now that Kalinin is possibly out.
Kudos goes out to Shanny.
I would rather have the Rangers play the Devils over Boston or Washington. Slight disagreement with you on that LOL.
You would think somethings up on the trade front, wouldn't you?
Wrath of Sanity: Wrath, what-else-is-new?
Devils scare me Chris...they are designed for the playoffs with that roster..they are shy 1 physical D-man from being a cup contender...but with Broduer as their goalie they can even overcome that...scary team...as are the B's...Caps will show their lack of experience a la the Oilers of the early 80's..losing to the Isles...Recall in the old days you could have an extra player on the bench..ie a 7th D-man which was most common or a spare forward?...why cant they now....i forgot the reason why they shortened the bench...think its time to allow that again
Leatherneck: Leatherneck, You make some good points. I just feel that if the Ranger lineup does not change much the rivalry between the 2 teams gives the Rangers a shot.
I think Washington got their experience last year when they blew the 7th game at home against Philly and Boston is tough.
Pittsburgh or the Cardinals? Chris do you know why the league shortened the bench back in the early 80's...why cant they suit up an extra player...if they are under contract...why can there be only 16 forwards, 6 D-men and 2 goalies...why cant they suit up a 7th D-men...say?
Leatherneck: Leatherneck, I'm going with the Cards. I don't want the "Shitsburgh" getting to 6 super bowls before the 49ers.
As for the answer to your question, I believe when I broke in the NHL we were all ready down to 18 skaters and 2 goalies.
Could I be wrong? almost 100% sure.
Oh, by the way I will be attending the "Adam Graves" jersey retirement on Tuesday. Well deserving.
Must be special to attend such ceremonies at the Garden to honor our immortals. I wish I could make the jump one day or another. ;)
Chris, what did you think about Renney shuffling lines 14 times in the last 14 minutes of the game against Boston? Desperate move or smart move trying to distract the Bruins?
Jeff: Jeff, believe me when I tell how honored and humbled I am the way the Ranger organization treats my family or my friends. It's the best!
Adam Graves for those who know him, understand what a "great man" and true definition of what a hockey player should be.
Jeff, I did not see much of the Boston game. I'm guessing he was desperate trying to find some scoring something you and I know their is a severe lack of.
My question was maybe a bit incomplete. I try to interpret what Renney wants to do there shuffling so much the lines. I don't remember him doing this in the last two years. He switched some players in the third already, but never to this point. And that's where, I'm a bit confused.
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