https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJmfJBdPvrc

The next time the Rangers go to a shootout, can they decline? Following last night’s bizarre 3-2 shootout defeat to the Pens, they might consider it. An exciting game between the old Patrick Division rivals had the oddest conclusion.

Following a wild overtime, the clubs went to the skill competition to decide the outcome. After Henrik Lundqvist stopped Kris Letang, out came Dan Boyle. He appeared to score the winner going around Marc-Andre Fleury’s poke check and going forehand deke off the right post and in. Following teammates congratulating him, the Rangers headed for the locker room. But as they were, a horn sounded twice. I didn’t think much of it but wondered why. With both teams leaving, suddenly the play was under review.

Apparently, Toronto found something. On Boyle’s attempt, the puck hit the post and deflected off his stick while he was down resulting in a double deflection. Even after seeing the replay, I couldn’t pick it up. It looked like it just went off the goalpost and bounced in. Not surprisingly, I lost it on Twitter and got called out by angry Pens fans who were right. It took me until following the Hurricanes choke job in a devastating loss to the Seminoles to realize the puck actually did go off Boyle’s stick. Maybe I didn’t want to believe it. Even though it was one motion, it was correctly reversed.

Suddenly, out came Sidney Crosby followed by the rest of the Pens. Of course, the only thing I could think of was said by my brother. Only Crosby would lead his team back out on a bizarre call that snatched a shootout win from the Rangers to the jaws of defeat. You can’t make it up. As soon as Henrik Lundqvist came back out, I uttered ‘Game over.’ There was no way they were winning after that. When Brandon Sutter came out and beat Lundqvist five-hole, it confirmed the obvious. Once Fleury stopped Rick Nash’s backhand, it dealt the Rangers another shootout loss. They’ve dropped their last four. Lundqvist is responsible for three including the last two.

The game itself was so well played, it didn’t deserve a shootout. Most games that require overtime don’t. But this is what the NHL has become. A league reliant on skill competitions to decide crucial extra points. It is what it is. It would be nice to come out on top. For years, we’ve been spoiled by Lundqvist. He just hasn’t been successful this year dropping to 1-3. Overall, the Rangers are 1-4. You hope these lost points don’t prove costly. With the Pens and Islanders off to great starts, they’re digging themselves a hole. At 7-6-4 with 18 points, they’re tied with the Devils for fourth in the Metro with the Caps and Flyers right behind. At some point, they’re going to have to put together a good stretch.

Playing a second time in five days, the Rangers and Pens put on a good show. There was a bit of everything. A seesaw first period saw the teams combine for three goals. Blake Comeau put Pittsburgh in front when his wrist shot from the right circle fooled Lundqvist. It came off a turnover with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist setting Comeau up. But just 15 seconds later, ex-Pen Lee Stempniak beat Crosby to a rebound and backhanded in his fourth. A good forecheck by Carl Hagelin set up a Dan Girardi point shot that caromed off Fleury right to Stempniak for the equalizer.

Derick Brassard drew a slashing minor on Steve Downie. As good as the Pens penalty kill has been, they’ve gotten victimized by our listless power play. Go figure. It was Brassard who made a great saucer pass across to Marty St. Louis for his fifth goal in the last seven. After a slow start, he’s really found it. Nash drew a secondary assist. They had a chance to increase their lead but failed to take advantage of another power play including the first 1:43 of the second.

Afterwards, a more aggressive Pens grabbed the momentum. They began dictating with a strong forecheck. Generating quality scoring chances and attacking the net, they forced Lundqvist into some difficult stops. He was up to the challenge. Unfortunately, an errant Boyle pass resulted in Malkin tying it with a laser. Partnered for a second consecutive game with John Moore, Boyle simply fanned on a pass which went right to Nick Spaling who did the wise thing dishing across for Malkin’s seventh which Lundqvist got a piece of. It was his brilliance that allowed the Rangers to get a point. He was under siege in the second stopping 14 of 15 shots.

The third was more even. It also was physical. The Pens attacked Lundqvist’s crease. One such instance saw Crosby fall on top of our goalie. An obvious goalie interference that the refs missed. The Pens captain also slammed his stick against the glass earlier in protest after not getting a call. Sometimes, I really can’t stand him. I get it. He’s their leader but the way he goes about it is sickening.

There was a scary moment. Malkin caught a leaning Girardi with a vicious hit behind the Ranger net. It was simply a case of Girardi playing a puck and Malkin leaning into him with a clean shoulder that made heavy contact to the chest. Danny G stayed down and had to be helped off the ice. Partner Marc Staal stepped up for him and went after Malkin. It led to matching roughs even though Malkin’s hit was clean. Amazingly, Girardi returned in overtime. He must be Superman. Hopefully, he’s okay. In retrospect, it probably should’ve been a Pens power play. Fortunately, it wasn’t. But the four on four saw Crosby battle John Moore in front for an extended shift. To his credit, Moore did a solid job. Lundqvist denied a low Crosby shot.

On the opposite end, Fleury was superb. If not for some big saves in the first, it easily could’ve been 4-1 Rangers. Both netminders shined. Lundqvist finished with 36 saves while Fleury had 29.

The overtime was entertaining. They took both Hagelin and Kris Letang off for matching slashes. Though I didn’t see what Hagelin did. That led to some 3-on-3. Chris Kreider was actually out and tried to use his speed. He had one good chance when he broke in and was tripped up by a diving Rob Scuderi. After Fleury stopped him, a sliding Kreider fell into the Pens goalie. Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti thought penalty shot but the replay clearly showed that Kreider wasn’t in the clear. It was the right call.

Rewarded a four-on-three, the Rangers weren’t aggressive enough. They tried to be too fine. Forcing passes, it allowed the Pens to clear the puck and even get a dangerous shorthanded opportunity when Letang came out of the box. Lundqvist robbed him with a great glove save. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that he also stoned Crosby off the opening draw of extras making a pad save. Like I said, Hank was brilliant. It’s a shame he lost.

In the shootout, Derek Stepan scored for a second straight game going five-hole on Fleury to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead after Round 1. But Crosby evened it with a quick wrister low blocker. Then Fleury denied Mats Zuccarello with a nice poke check. After Lundqvist stopped Letang’s backhand, there was Boyle’s No Goal. Just bizarre. Then the teams came back and the Pens took full advantage with Sutter winning it.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Marc-Andre Fleury, Pens (29 saves incl. 12/14 in 1st)

2nd Star-Evgeni Malkin, Pens (goal-7th of season, assist)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (36 saves incl. 27/29 1st 2 periods)