Crosby Gets Last Laugh: Sidney Crosby whose name was chanted celebrates one of his two goals as the Pens took Game 2 4-3 over the Rangers to even the series.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

In the playoffs, there’s no such thing as a guarantee. Before the series, most prognosticators had the Rangers winning easy over the Penguins in four or five games. Not so fast. It was the underdog who was ready from the start outplaying the top seed en route to a 4-3 Game 2 victory to even the first round series.

Why is it tied headed back to Pittsburgh for what now becomes a vital Game 3 tomorrow night? Because the Pens were the scrappier team. They won most of the board battles and had the better of the play at even strength. They outhustled and outmuscled the Rangers, who were flat. Their passing wasn’t sharp and their defense left too much space to a more determined Pens who were more willing to get the jersey dirty.

All four of Pittsburgh’s goals came from in front including a pair from frequent target Sidney Crosby. Crosby, whose name was chanted even after he got the two goals erasing recent playoff struggles that date back to last year’s second round against the Blueshirts, who played the underdog pulling the upset.

Some of the chants were absurd. But that’s what you get when there aren’t as many real fans at these games. The kind that are just there to be seen and don’t know hockey. Screaming for our players to shoot the puck when there’s no shooting lane or worse, when they’re behind the net. You can’t make it up.

Derick Brassard battles Paul Martin during Game 2 last night.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

On a night where Garden favorite John Amirante sang his last national anthem after a memorable 35 years due to a total lack of decency from James Dolan, it was fitting that the Rangers lost. They just didn’t play well enough. Despite the Pens continuing to hand them power plays, it wasn’t good enough. Maybe if they had shown the same gumption they did on Derick Brassard’s power play goal on the sixth opportunity trailing 3-1 early in the third, it might have been a different outcome.

There was so much wrong. Take the first period which the Pens controlled right away by spending time in the Ranger end. Continuing to forecheck and bottle up the neutral zone forcing Ranger mistakes, they were the more desperate team. Of course, it came as no surprise. Going down 0-2 would’ve been a lot to ask from a team still missing half its starting defense.

Most shocking was how much of a snail’s pace the Rangers got sucked into. There were only eight total shots in the first with the home club getting only three. Amazingly, Derek Stepan beat Marc-Andre Fleury with one thanks to a great J.T. Miller cross-ice feed off the rush that caught Fleury moving side to side. Exactly what they have to do because he’s seeing the puck extremely well.

Oh btw Miller’s been their best forward so far with Brassard right behind. Too many key players are missing including Rick Nash, who at least scored with six seconds left for his first of the postseason. To be fair, he did set up Brassard’s series opener in Game 1. Stepan’s been okay but is struggling on key offensive draws that start power plays kills. The Pens are able to get free clears and their penalty kill isn’t respecting a power play that’s 2-for-12 so far. Conversely, Pittsburgh had no trouble converting their first two with Sutter getting to a loose puck that popped up and Chris Kunitz scoring a momentum killer that made it 4-2 with 10:19 left.

If there is an issue with the power play, it’s the lack of urgency. It wasn’t until the third when the Rangers finally started winning the battles up a man. It led to Brassard rebounding home a Mats Zuccarello shot after Keith Yandle set it up. Yandle btw has been good in his first two postseason games for the Blueshirts recording two assists. He missed a couple of shifts in the first with us noticing Matt Hunwick on the power play. Thank God he returned.

When it was 3-2, the crowd was very loud. It was a great atmosphere despite the newbies with the chants and absurdities. The fans tried to rally them. It was a lot of fun. They had the Pens reeling after Brassard’s goal. Sutter, who didn’t do much wrong- took a hooking minor putting Pittsburgh’s most dangerous penalty killer in the box. The Rangers had all sorts of chances to score. Stepan even got help winning an offensive draw. They moved the puck around and were patient. They had a few Pens down and even Fleury on a couple. But Stepan somehow missed and Martin St. Louis fired over the top.

Outside of that glorious chance, St. Louis hasn’t looked good. He has only two shots so far. Both coming last night. Plus those key misses. Playing with Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin on the third line, the Rangers need St. Louis to be a factor. He has been too hesitant. Especially on the power play where Alain Vigneault gave the proven performer 7:12 of his 16:34. Marty is best when he is instinctive. If he’s open, he needs to look shot more. Otherwise, it makes him to predictable hurting the power play. If he continues to be passive, I suggest Miller who brings an edge. He makes things happen. He only got 53 seconds on the man-advantage. Hayes saw 1:07.

Speaking of Hayes, he had a bad night. He took a penalty in the offensive zone that led to Kunitz’ key insurance marker. Hayes also failed to clear a puck out. Eventually, Crosby made him pay by converting a rebound to give the Pens the lead. For all the criticism the Pens captain receives, he’s more than capable of playing a chippy game. Following Game 1, he said the Pens must do a better job getting to loose pucks in front of Henrik Lundqvist. They did with their team leader scoring twice including beating Miller for a backhand that made it 3-1 in a disastrous second.

Oddly, the second period has been awful for the Rangers. Normally, they’re a strong team in the middle stanza. Not so far in this series. The Pens have outscored them 4-0. A trend that can’t continue when the series shifts to Consol Energy Arena.

Pittsburgh’s defensemen were better too. In particular, unheralded Ian Cole. He had a nice keep on Crosby’s first. Cole also played strong defensively blocking five shots in 31 shifts (19:13). Paul Martin logged a ton of minutes (25:29) playing solid defensively against our top forwards. Rob Scuderi and Ben Lovejoy had good nights.

The Pens gritty players have been effective so far. Max Lapierre continues to be a pain in the ass with diligent checking and his usual antics. He saw a ton of shifts shorthanded and was one of their best penalty killers. He also won key faceoffs going 13-and-8. Sutter had a big game scoring a power play goal and setting up another. He really has been the Pens’ most effective forward so far. He also rang one off the post shorthanded.

The Rangers need more from Chris Kreider. Outside of one great chance off a rush where he came awfully close to beating Fleury on his patented backhand deke, he was fairly quiet. They were looking for him on that big power play down 3-2. Kreider set up in front but the Pens guarded him tight and took away the passing lanes. Kreider needs more shifts where he uses that combo of speed and size. He can be a difference maker.

Mats Zuccarello has been effective. He does it by mixing it up and creating chances with his sneaky speed and skill. He had one great backcheck stripping a Pen and then firing a wrist shot from the circle on Fleury, who gloved it. Zuccarello was in front causing havoc on Brassard’s PPG. He also factored in on McDonagh’s game-winner in the first game. The Rangers need more aggressive play from other players.

Kind of feel the third line needs a big game tomorrow. They’re a big part of why they had the league’s best record. Hayes, Hagelin and St. Louis need a bounce back. The fourth line was okay. They’ve been responsible so far forechecking when they can. Of course, Tanner Glass was blamed for the loss. Even when he has no impact, he gets criticism from the Corsis. However, it’s time for Vigneault to insert James Sheppard. He’s more effective on the forecheck and a better agitator. Plus he’s shown he can finish. Stick him with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast, who looked good.

Lundqvist wasn’t good enough. Part of it was the game which was very odd. There were only 48 total shots. The Rangers held a 26-22 edge. The Pens used their strategy perfectly continuing to get low shots on Lundqvist and find rebounds. That’s how they were successful. Either Lundqvist needs to tighten up or the defense must do a better job. The D and forwards weren’t on the same page. Hank knows he can be better. Expect him to be in Pittsburgh.

I also felt Marc Staal didn’t have a strong game. He was on for a goal against. He’s usually so solid this time of year. I’m sure he’ll be better. Dan Boyle remains an adventure in his end. That’s why he must contribute on the power play. He’s still not shooting enough and has had problems keeping the puck in.

One other point on the power play. Unhappy with the first five, Vigneault made one adjustment. He went to four forwards and one D. It looked much better in the third. Maybe that’s how it has to be. Whether it’s Stepan and McDonagh or Brassard and Yandle with Boyle rotating, it must remain aggressive. They moved the puck much faster which is how they got the one PPG and the other great chances.

I almost forgot to mention Evgeni Malkin. While he didn’t score, he made the play of the game saving a shorthanded goal that would’ve tied it. Before Kunitz scored at the end of their power play, the Rangers came shorthanded with Dan Girardi firing a point shot that got through Fleury. The puck was headed in but a diving Malkin made a desperation clear at the last second. If he doesn’t, it’s a tie game with a rocking MSG and the Rangers with all the momentum. I don’t think the Pens recover. We could be looking at a 2-0 series lead instead of 1-1.

Now, it’s dead even with three of the next five in Pittsburgh. This will be a good challenge for the Rangers, who won 28 times away from MSG. They’ve been a good road team under Vigneault. Last year, they won three of four in Pittsburgh including Games 5 and 7 to complete a comeback from 3-1 down. We’ll see what they’re made of.