The Ducks Had Strong Support from Coach Bombay

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Derek

As if this series couldn’t get any zanier, the Ducks had luck on their side. A historic kind with strong support from the one and only Coach Gordon Bombay. None other than Emilio Estevez sent out some cool tweets that obviously worked their magic in overtime.

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603045763057201153

If that wasn’t enough, how about this zinger after Matt Beleskey completed Coach Bombay’s Flying V request 45 seconds into OT making the Ducks 5-4 winners over the Hawks in Game 5?

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603049443097583616

What must Coach Reilly be thinking? Poor Lane Smith. 😆

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Ducks win a wild Game 5 over resilient Hawks in overtime

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Derek
Cam Fowler celebrates a goal early in the first period of what turned into another classic with the Ducks prevailing over the Hawks 5-4 in overtime on Matt Beleskey's winner at 45 seconds following two Jonathan Toews goals in the final two minutes allowing Anaheim to take a 3-2 series lead over Chicago. AP Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Getty Images

Cam Fowler celebrates a goal early in the first period of what turned into another classic with the Ducks prevailing over the Hawks 5-4 in overtime on Matt Beleskey’s winner at 45 seconds following two Jonathan Toews goals in the final two minutes allowing Anaheim to take a 3-2 series lead over Chicago.
AP Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Getty Images

In an absolute mind trip that just ended, the Ducks won a wild Game 5 over the Hawks taking it in front of the home crowd 5-4 in overtime. The hero was Matt Beleskey who scored 45 seconds into overtime to give his team a three games to two lead in the Western Conference Final. With a win in Chicago Wednesday, the Ducks can return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2007 when they won it.

A game that looked like a cakewalk for Anaheim turned into a nail biter thanks to some Chicago heroics from Hawks captain Jonathan Toews. He scored twice in a 72-second span erasing a 4-2 Ducks lead in the final two minutes of regulation to send it to sudden death.

The amazing aspect is that such a game required OT. The Ducks so dominated the first period that they outscored the Hawks 3-0 and didn’t allow a shot until there was under four minutes left in the first period. They dominated from the outset getting goals from Cam Fowler and Ryan Kesler 32 seconds apart. Fowler finishing off a Nate Thompson feed through a screen and Kesler with a ridiculous redirect of a Jakob Silfverberg shot putting them up by two and forcing Hawks coach Joel Quenneville to use his timeout.

It didn’t help with the Ducks continuing to pour it on. Off a clean faceoff win from Ryan Getzlaf, defenseman Sami Vatanen rifled one from the right point past Corey Crawford, who wasn’t quite set for a three-goal lead. It looked like they would cruise to a easy win outshooting the Hawks 11-3 in as lopsided a period as you’ll see at this late stage of the postseason.

Instead of giving up, the Hawks showed their playoff mettle by rallying the last two periods from a three-goal deficit and two-goal hole to tie the score. Teuvo Teravainen surprised Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen with a no-look wrist shot that eluded him five-hole cutting the deficit to 3-1 just 1:11 into the second. Suddenly, it was all Chicago with them able to make long tape to tape passes and use their speed to get quality chances on Andersen including a dangerous Toews chance one-on-one in which the Ducks netminder stoned him. Duncan Keith also nearly set up Patrick Kane with a backdoor feed just missing connection.

Chicago still trailed by two with under a minute left in the second until Teravainen made a nice pass from behind the net for Brent Seabrook who was able to beat Andersen with a quick snap shot short side cutting the deficit to 3-2 at 19:35. The Hawks outshot the Ducks 13-5 turning it around. After being outshot 10-0 at one point, they owned a 16-6 advantage evening the shots at 16 apiece.

The Hawks continued to press the attack in the third with Clayton Stoner going off for hooking. But the Ducks penalty kill didn’t allow a Chicago shot doing a good job shot blocking. For the night, they rejected 21 shots including seven from Simon Despres and four from Fowler. Andersen was able to make some good stops to keep his team in front.

Eventually, the Ducks got a second wind and finally started turning the ice with their more physical forecheck forcing a Hawks turnover at the blueline. Kimmo Timonen failed to clear the puck and Patrick Sharp turned it over to a pinching Getzlaf, who fed Vatanen creating a two-on-one down low with Vatanen perfectly threading the needle to a wide open Patrick Maroon for a tap-in with Seabrook on all fours. The goal came with 5:15 remaining restoring a two-goal lead. But it wasn’t enough to fluster the Hawks.

Instead of panicking, the experienced former Stanley Cup winner got off the mat in epic fashion. As if this series wasn’t good enough with the Ducks in the last game scoring three goals in 39 seconds only to lose in sudden death, the Hawks rallied from 4-2 down in the final two minutes. Both times, Quenneville pulled Crawford for an extra attacker. Toews scored with 1:50 left when he one-timed a perfect Marian Hossa feed past Andersen from Keith cutting it to one. Then, with Crawford again on the bench, the brilliant Chicago captain got to a dump in the corner and from a sharp angle fired one off Andersen and in to tie it at 19:22.

An incredible sequence that stunned Honda Center. The Ducks tried to get the winner before the end of regulation but Crawford got a piece of a shot. In OT, I had the feeling it would end early. But even earlier than expected when a Hawks turnover caught them in a change allowing Silfverberg to transition to Kesler for a two-on-one with Beleskey. Kesler wisely shot low with the rebound caroming off Crawford right to Beleskey for an easy put away sending the Ducks off the bench at 45 seconds of OT.

What do they have in store for us in Game 6? We’ll find out.

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Why I Still Believe The Rangers Will Win

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Derek
Henrik Lundqvist is one of the big reasons why the Rangers can still come back and win their series against the Lightning for a do or die Game 6. AP Photo by Nick Wass/Getty Images

Henrik Lundqvist is one of the biggest reasons why the Rangers can still come back and win their series against the Lightning for a do or die Game 6. The King will need help from his friends.
AP Photo by Nick Wass/Getty Images

Before I get to started, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day. A big thank you goes out to all the brave men and women who have served our country. Without you, none of this would be possible. It’s not a day of celebration but a day of appreciation for the true American heroes that have sacrificed so much for our way of life.

I’ve been thinking about it all day. The situation the Rangers find themselves in as if you didn’t already know. It’s not comfortable but given what this team puts us through, why should it be? This is who they are. A close knit group who plays better when their backs are against the wall. Why should we have expected anything else? So, they laid an egg last night and now face elimination yet again.

Tomorrow night when the puck drops after 8 PM for Game 6, it’s the biggest game they have played since being in the identical situation 21 years ago in the same round. Most will reference the recent 3-1 comebacks against the Pens and Caps. That’s a different set of circumstances. Here, your President’s Trophy winners face more pressure. Like it or not, this is probably their best chance to deliver the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup. It’s a different set of expectations than 2014 or 2012. This is bigger.

Think back to 1994 when they played a similar awful Game 5 losing to the Devils. That team had the weight of an entire city along with that 54-year curse hanging over their heads. Plus the whole players versus Mike Keenan catastrophe. Then the greatest captain we’ve seen Mark Messier said they would win Game 6. It wasn’t so much a guarantee but rather a strong belief that they would find a way. That Messier recorded a hat trick in the third period to lead his team back from a 2-0 deficit made it that more legendary. They were taken to double overtime before Stephane Matteau scored and eventually held on in a hair raising Game 7 beating the Canucks.

So, here we are a year removed from Henrik Lundqvist carrying last year’s team to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance before falling to the Kings in five hard fought games. The giant question still lingers. Can the franchise’s best goalie win a Cup? As last night proved, he needs help. A few of his teammates must perform better for them to take it back to MSG for a home Game 7 where Lundqvist is virtually unbeatable. Which player is going to stand up and deliver a big speech not only inspiring their team to victory tomorrow but leading them?

That’s the question I keep asking myself. Captained by Ryan McDonagh, these Blueshirts have enough experience and determination to believe they’ll win. There are so many locker room leaders who have performed in these type of pressure packed situations. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi qualify as do Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle. Chris Kreider and Rick Nash have been around long enough. So have Carl Hagelin and the backhand professor, Dominic Moore. Kevin Klein has too. Of course, Lundqvist has because he’s been the backbone of this franchise for a decade. I believe he’ll deliver a big performance tomorrow and repeat it in Game 7 Friday.

I fully expect them to win tomorrow and force a do or die seventh game at what will be a chaotic atmosphere inside MSG. If you’re a pessimist, then you haven’t been paying attention these past four years. They can do it. It’ll be quite challenging. Think back to what those ’94 Rangers face in the future champion Devils.

The Lightning are a excellent opponent with more talent making them opportunistic as they were Sunday night. Even with the Rangers able to quiet the Triplets the past two games, they haven’t contained Steven Stamkos. He doesn’t need much room or space either even though he played almost seven minutes less than Tyler Johnson. Neither does the potent Victor Hedman who’s dominated the series with his skating and free wheeling. Don’t forget they also have Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan who bring necessary experience. It isn’t gonna be easy.

Throw everything out. The previous five games don’t matter. As we’ve seen throughout this series, every game is different. A little side note to the professional media covering the series who actually tweeted that neither team has won two straight. Let me correct that. The Lightning already did that winning Games 2 and 3. Do these people actually fact check? The Rangers haven’t yet. They’ll get their chance beginning tomorrow. A team that’s won three in a row against the Caps and Pens. The competition is better. They’ve been a great road team under Alain Vigneault. Another reason to believe they’ll get it done Tuesday and take it to a deciding seventh game.

Nothing really fazes them. Judging from the quotes, they’ve been here before. They know this is it. There’s no Game 7 if they don’t play their best game of the playoffs tomorrow. A point that’s been reiterated by both coach and players. Figure the urgency to be dialed up several notches along with the desperation. It’s time to put their hard hats on.

The 2014-15 Rangers didn’t come this far to lose now. It’s gut check time. I believe in them. They’ve been a resilient group. I expect their best effort tomorrow. I also expect them to win. I still BELIEVE.

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Bishop pitches shutout as Lightning put Rangers on brink

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Derek
Big Ben Shutout: Lightning goalie Ben Bishop gets congratulated by goalscorer Steven Stamkos following his 26-save shutout in their 2-0 Game 6 shutout win that put the Rangers on the brink. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Big Ben Shutout: Lightning goalie Ben Bishop gets congratulated by goalscorer Steven Stamkos following his 26-save shutout in their 2-0 Game 6 shutout win that put the Rangers on the brink.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

For a second straight round, the Rangers have their backs to the wall. They are facing playoff extinction after getting shutout by Ben Bishop and the Lightning 2-0 to drop Game 5 at a disappointed MSG. Bishop stopped all 26 shots in a more defensive oriented style game that was every bit as surprising as the series.

To their credit, the Lightning played strong defensively in front of Bishop, who entered having given up 10 goals over the last two games. They limited the Rangers’ scoring chances by getting bodies in front of shots and sticks in passing lanes. The end result was a hard earned two-goal road win allowing them to take a three games to two lead back to Tampa Bay for Game 6 tomorrow night.

Indeed, the Rangers are up against it. They’ve been here before. The only difference is they’re facing elimination on the road. While they can draw on experience including a 3-1 comeback for the second consecutive year last round, it’ll be more challenging. Especially if the Lightning can play the same grinding style in front of Bishop. They blocked 24 shots. Thirty-two of the Rangers’ shot attempts never made it with another eight missing the net. They’ll need to adjust in a must win situation.

”We just have to go down there and play confident, play our best game, and try to get the win,” Marc Staal said echoing coach Alain Vigneault’s words in the postgame. They’ll have to be decidedly better to keep the season going. Offensively, they didn’t generate enough against a goalie whose confidence had to be a question coming in. Their failure especially on the power play going 0-for-4 really hurt.

The Blueshirts’ start wasn’t a issue following an energizing response to long-time anthem singer John Amirante returning for the star spangled banner on Memorial Day Weekend. As Vigneault indicated, they came at the Bolts applying plenty of forecheck pressure for the first 30 to 35 minutes.

The trouble is they weren’t good enough despite Tampa handing them opportunities on the power play. That included a bench minor with the first unit controlling puck possession for nearly 90 seconds but were unable to beat Bishop who had plenty of help including from old friend Brian Boyle, who played his best game of the series blocking five shots while delivering four hits and going 7-and-7 in 22 big shifts (17:06). Exactly the kind of game he was signed for.

”It was a huge effort by our penalty kill,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after noting that the penalty kill and special teams were the key to the game. ”They get that first one, who knows how this game turns.”

It never came in a tightly played first period where the teams combined for just 10 shots with the Rangers holding a slight 6-4 edge. After a good first power play, it was abysmal on the remaining three. In particular, the second one in which Vigneault went with the top unit again at the start. Facing a more aggressive penalty kill, they got nothing accomplished. Neither did the second unit. Only J.T. Miller had jump using his wheels to skate around and keep a sustained cycle after it expired. But getting shots through was problematic.

The turning point came during the second when the Bolts handed them consecutive power plays. After they killed off a Jason Garrison penalty, Tampa had no trouble taking care of an Andrej Sustr minor which changed the game allowing them to gain confidence. By that point, it was the Lightning who showed more urgency shorthanded with all four skaters in the Ranger zone forcing Lundqvist to make two saves. The Garden groaned.

On all four man-advantages, Vigneault went with the top unit of Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Derick Brassard and Dan Boyle. Miller, Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash, Keith Yandle and Ryan McDonagh were no better. Unlike the last three games where they had great success converting 6-of-13 for two power plays goals in each, the power kill failed them. Whether it was trying to be too fancy or the Lightning’s more aggressive approach, it really cost them.

As so often happens, all it takes is one mistake and the puck’s in the back of the net. That was exactly the case. The Bolts took advantage by catching all three Ranger forwards deep with Anton Stralman’s clear leading to a odd-man rush. With just Staal and Kevin Klein back, Staal fell down allowing Steven Stamkos to pass for a wide open Valtteri Filppula, who let go of a wrist shot that went high stick side on Lundqvist with 6:31 left in the second.

The Bolts then drew a dubious Staal trip with Nikita Kucherov embellishing it by falling to the ice. On the power play, they took full advantage by passing the puck around like the Harlem Globetrotters with Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat threading the needle to Stamkos for a tap in increasing to 2-0 with 1:38 left in the period. A back breaker. The Rangers penalty kill was lost and left one of the game’s best snipers all alone.

For all intent and purposes, the game was over. Sure. They kept coming in the third. It just wasn’t enough. Despite strong support from a great crowd (not sure how it came across on NBC) which included myself, Justin and his buddy Mike, they weren’t able to get inside on the Lightning’s air tight D. They played similar to the Caps last round taking away time and space. It really confused our shooters.

The closest they came to scoring was off two set ups in the slot with Stepan having a shot deflected into the netting. He had the top half but couldn’t connect. Nash also had a good try but was denied by Bishop. It just wasn’t their night. It was a combination of the Bolts locking it up and the Blueshirts unable to get to loose pucks. They were outhustled.

Vigneault tried a couple of different combos giving Nash some shifts with Kreider and Stepan while also slotting Hayes up to that line for a shift in place of ineffective rookie Jesper Fast. Fast only got 18 shifts (11:18). Fourth liners Tanner Glass (5:57 in 9 shifts) and James Sheppard (6:21 in 7 shifts) were benched with Vigneault shortening up in search of offense. Carl Hagelin who has great speed also was limited to 13:04 in 20 shifts. His speed was noticeable during some shifts but didn’t play nearly enough.

Vigneault gave Yandle and Boyle big minutes with each getting over 22 including nearly four each on the power play. Yandle struggled in his end with turnovers while Boyle was more effective jumping up in the play to create offense. McDonagh was ineffective despite 21:59 in 27 shifts. The Rangers captain must elevate his game if they’re to avoid having their season end. Staal and Klein struggled and Dan Girardi was held down to 16:29. So, he should be fresh.

It’ll be interesting to see how this team responds to the challenge. They know it’s do or die. Can they go into enemy territory and come out victorious as a popular former captain did once with a performance for the ages 21 years ago? Or is it gonna be a repeat of 2012? It’s up to them.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ben Bishop, Bolts (26 saves for 2nd career postseason shutout)

2nd Star-Steven Stamkos, Bolts (power play goal-4th goal of series, assist, 4 SOG, +1 in 14:46-played 6:20 less than Tyler Johnson)

1st Star-Victor Hedman, Bolts (assist, 2 SOG, 3 hits, blocked shot, +1 in 31 shifts-24:04-dominant throughout)

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The Importance of Game 5

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Derek

The Rangers find themselves deadlocked at two games apiece with the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. They enter tonight’s pivotal Game 5 with a chance to pull within a game of their second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. Game time is 8 PM at what should be a raucous MSG.

Given the unpredictable nature of this series, it’s hard to tell what will happen. The Rangers do have momentum after taking Game 4 5-1 in Tampa thanks to big performances from Henrik Lundqvist, Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis and Keith Yandle. For a second consecutive game, they scored five goals on Ben Bishop, who now faces similar scrutiny that Lundqvist had. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds.

How important is Game 5? In a best two-of-three, the Rangers want to take care of business on home ice and not have to go to a loud Amelie Arena facing elimination. History tells us that it wouldn’t be wise. In a similar situation during the same round, they lost Game 5 to the Devils 5-3 in 2012. The Devils prevailed in six. They don’t want to have the same thing happen. Especially given how explosive the Lightning are.

They have the better goalie and the power play has sprung to life going 6-for-13 over the last three games. They also have recent history on their side. They’ve won each of their last eight home playoff games which have gone to a Game 5, 6 or 7. In those eight games, they’ve allowed a total of seven goals. That’s where Lundqvist comes in. It’ll be more challenging against the Bolts. If he can duplicate his 38-save performance in Game 4, the Rangers should be in good shape.

For them to prevail, they need to play well. As good as Friday was, it wasn’t perfect. Following Nash’s first period tally, the Lightning had the Rangers on their heels with Steven Stamkos scoring his third of the series tying it and firing 19 shots on Lundqvist, who stood up to the challenge. That allowed his teammates to grow confidence with Chris Kreider and Yandle scoring big goals late in the second period. Third period power play goals from St. Louis and Nash finished it off.

Defensively, they can use stronger efforts from Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. The top pair has had their struggles dealing with the Bolts’ Triplets speed of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. Ditto for Marc Staal when matched against Stamkos, Alex Killorn and playmaking center Valtteri Filppula. They must limit their gap space and must pay attention to Victor Hedman. He’s been extremely dangerous jumping in on the rush with four assists.

Discipline will also be a key factor. Finally, the teams showed some disdain at the conclusion of Game 4 with Carl Hagelin getting in the face of Ryan Callahan and Tanner Glass responding immediately to a Cedric Paquette hit on James Sheppard. Kevin Klein put Brenden Morrow in a headlock following his bump of Lundqvist.

The Rangers want to remain patient and stay out of the penalty box against such a dangerous opponent. They also want to keep using their speed to forecheck Tampa’s D and draw penalties. Put them on the defensive. If they can control most of the play from behind Bishop’s net, that should bode well.

Limiting turnovers in the neutral zone and cute plays at the blueline are equally important. It fuels the Bolts’ transition. They must manage the puck and make smart decisions. We’ll see if they are up to the challenge on a hot Memorial Day Weekend.

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Video Of Day: Vermette wins Game 4 in double overtime

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Derek

Our second Video Of Day would be none other than Antoine Vermette’s game-winner in double overtime lifting the Blackhawks to a wild and unpredictable 5-4 win over the Ducks in Game 4 to even the Western Conference Final.

For most of sudden death, the Hawks wouldn’t get pucks deep turning it over causing a slew of chances for the Ducks’ ferocious attack. If not for the brilliant play of Corey Crawford (47 saves), they don’t prevail. Hell. They probably are swept by Anaheim. Don’t forget Crawford’s 60 saves that allowed Chicago to outlast the Ducks in triple overtime back in Game 2.

On the winning play, the Hawks finally got the puck in and were able to finally beat Frederik Andersen. Rookie Teuvo Teravainen kept a puck in and dumped it down to Patrick Sharp behind the net. Sharp made a nice move and threw a backhand saucer pass in front to a cutting Vermette, who had his first shot blocked. However, he stuck with the rebound and had just enough space to fire it from a tough angle past Andersen and Anaheim defenseman Simon Despres for the game-winner at 85:37.

As Doc Emrick noted on NBC in this classic that featured an astonishing three Ducks goals in a 39-second span to go ahead 4-3 in the third period, the 91st shot of the contest was the game-decider. Remarkably, the Hawks almost lost in epic fashion blowing a two-goal lead. After goals from Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook, they fell apart. The Ducks scored three in a row with Ryan Kesler, Matt Beleskey and Corey Perry putting them ahead. But the Hawks finally converted a power play with Brad Richards making a great shot pass to Patrick Kane, who was able to squeak it past Andersen to force overtime.

This is a game many will talk about for a while. The Ducks have dominated most of the play with their forecheck. They have continued to hit the Hawks and pound a thin D corps with Chicago coach Joel Quenneville relying mostly on the top four of Duncan Keith (40:39), Brent Seabrook (32:03), Niklas Hjalmarsson (39:13) and Johnny Oduya (29:26). At least he worked Kyle Cumiskey (13:27) in with the inexperienced defenseman having a strong shift getting the puck deep twice to cause a Ducks icing prior to Vermette’s heroics. Kimmo Timonen only saw 13 shifts (10:15) with hardly any following a giveaway that led to Beleskey’s goal in the third.

The big question headed into a pivotal Game 5 is what do the Hawks have left. Their D has been worked tirelessly by the Ducks with Perry and Getzlaf dominating shifts. Kesler and Andrew Cogliano have been all over the ice. Anaheim is deeper and coach Bruce Boudreau rolls everyone including all six D. The Hawks have had to work extra hard for their two wins going 10 periods before prevailing in sudden death.

It’ll be interesting to see who comes out strong at the start of Monday’s big game. Will the Hawks get an extra adrenaline kick from their emotional victory? Will the Ducks continue to grind away and take the middle of the ice from the Hawks? Or will they have an emotional letdown? We’ll see.

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Video Of Day: Ducks score 3 goals in 39 seconds

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Derek

In last night’s Western Conference Final Game 4 between the Ducks and Blackhawks, they gave us an unbelievable show in a wild third period. With the scored tied 1-1, the teams combined for six goals in a goal scoring exhibition.

It was the Ducks who pulled off an astonishing feat scoring three goals in 39 seconds to come back and take a 4-3 lead with 10:41 remaining. Following a Brent Seabrook rocket that put the Hawks in front 3-1, Anaheim responded in epic fashion. First, Ryan Kesler scored 1:04 later from Jacob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano cutting it to 3-2. Then, Matt Beleskey scored 23 seconds later unassisted to tie the score.

They weren’t done. Just 14 seconds later, Corey Perry beat Duncan Keith to the front of the net to pot a Ryan Getzlaf rebound past a stunned Corey Crawford. Just like that, the Ducks quacked ahead 4-3 putting themselves in position for a sweep of the two games at United Center. Had they pulled it off, they would’ve gone up 3-1 in the series with a chance to wrap it up back home.

Instead, the Hawks rallied back to tie the score 3:20 later courtesy of a Patrick Kane power play goal off a great set up from Brad Richards. That forced overtime. The Ducks dominated the first OT outshooting the Hawks 17-5. But they couldn’t get one past Crawford who turned into a brick wall. Similar to his Herculean 60-save effort in the Hawks triple overtime Game 2 win, Crawford repelled all 21 Ducks shots in sudden death to finish with 47 saves.

Game 3 scratch Antoine Vermette played the hero scoring at 85:37 of the second overtime. He converted his own rebound off a nice Patrick Sharp pass from behind the net. Ironically, Vermette and the other Game 3 scratch Teuvo Teravainen factored into the game-winner to square the series.

Game 5 is Monday at Honda Center.

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Deadline Acquisition Yandle Delivering For Blueshirts

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Derek
Keith Yandle celebrates his goal that made it 3-1 late in the second with Rick Nash and Kevin Klein. AP Photo by Chris O'Meara/Getty Images

Keith Yandle celebrates his goal that made it 3-1 late in the second with Rick Nash and Kevin Klein Friday night. Yandle has stepped it up for the Blueshirts against the Lightning.
AP Photo by Chris O’Meara/Getty Images

When Rangers general manager Glen Sather pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal for Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle at the trade deadline, he took a calculated gamble on the 28-year old from Boston. In parting with top prospect Anthony Duclair, defenseman John Moore, a 2015 second round pick and a 2016 first round pick for Yandle, defenseman Chris Summers and a 2016 fourth round pick, Sather felt it was a chance to strengthen the Rangers’ blueline.

After adjusting to coach Alain Vigneault’s up tempo system that allows skilled defensemen to pinch aggressively on the forecheck, Yandle has had his ups and downs during the playoffs. As part of the team’s third pair with Kevin Klein and at times Dan Boyle, he struggled defensively. When he coughed up pucks and had some unfortunate luck in Game 3 of the second round with Jay Beagle’s wraparound going in off his stick, Yandle took heavy criticism. Especially when the power play struggled against the Caps.

Brought in to aid the power play, it hasn’t come easy. At one point, Vigneault had Yandle teamed with Ryan McDonagh on the top unit. With it ineffective, the Rangers’ second-year coach switched it up moving Yandle and McDonagh to the second unit with Rick Nash, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. He has stuck with Derick Brassard and Boyle running the points on the top unit with Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis up front. That magic formula is working with the club responding by scoring twice in each of the last three games converting 6-of-13 against the Lightning. In Friday’s big 5-1 win in Game 4 that evened the series, they went 2-for-4 including power play goals from St. Louis and Nash who both got off the snide.

With McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal occupied with neutralizing Triplets Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov plus Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn, Yandle has stood out the last two games tallying a goal and four assists. His imprints were all over last night’s win that sent the Eastern Conference Final back to MSG for tomorrow’s pivotal Game 5 all even.

It was Yandle who helped set up Chris Kreider’s game-winner with 4:44 left in the second. His feed allowed partner Klein to get a tough low shot on Ben Bishop, who leaked out a rebound which Kreider finished for his team-leading seventh of the postseason. Less than a couple of minutes later, this time Klein passed for Yandle at an open point where the offensive defenseman let go of a shot that took a lucky bounce off Tampa defenseman Victor Hedman past Bishop for a big insurance marker.

Yandle has shown more confidence offensively making smart decisions with the puck. Following St. Louis’ first of the playoffs which also came on the power play from Brassard and Boyle, Yandle made a good shot pass for a Hayes deflection that Bishop couldn’t quite cover. That allowed Nash to poke the puck in for his second of the game putting the final exclamation point on a 5-1 victory.

Without Yandle’s contributions, the Rangers probably don’t return to The Garden with the series tied at 2-2. At times, he can be a bit too unselfish deferring to teammates. What they got from him yesterday was more instinctive decisions. He wasn’t as hesitant. That was also the case in their wild 6-5 Game 3 overtime defeat. His offense has come at a perfect time. Ditto for Boyle who’ll bring a three-game point streak (1-4-5) into Sunday night. Klein also has three helpers over the last two.

With McDonagh, Girardi and Staal struggling with the Bolts’ lethal combination of speed and skill, it’s been the play of the bottom half of the D that’s performed. Yandle and Klein have stepped up. Boyle is providing offense but remains an adventure. Of course, it can be argued that that also applies to Yandle. But when Sather took the risk, he knew what he was getting. In this round, his big acquisition is finally fitting in.

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Lundqvist delivers big performance to even series

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Derek
King Henrik: Henrik Lundqvist responded in a big way making 38 saves to lead the Rangers to a 5-1 Game 4 victory evening the Eastern Conference Final against the Lightning. AP Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack/Getty Images

King Henrik: Henrik Lundqvist responded in a big way making 38 saves to lead the Rangers to a 5-1 Game 4 victory evening the Eastern Conference Final against the Lightning.
AP Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack/Getty Images

It would’ve been easy for Henrik Lundqvist to cave in. After allowing 12 goals in Games 2 and 3, the Rangers franchise netminder was under fire from panicked fans and some media. They wanted to know what was wrong with him.

Following giving up Nikita Kucherov’s long unscreened 27-footer that put the Lightning up two games to one, Lundqvist admitted that he didn’t pick it up while doubting his positioning against a very talented and explosive opponent. For the first time since we’ve seen him shine on Broadway for a decade, the unflappable goalie seemed to be questioning himself. Who wouldn’t after permitting as many goals in two games as he did in seven against the Caps last round?

What people quickly forget is that Lundqvist is human. He has off nights. We just aren’t used to seeing him have consecutive bad games. A city and its fans so panicked that some suggested starting backup Cam Talbot for Friday night’s crucial Game 4. A question even New York Post columnist Larry Brooks posed to coach Alain Vigneault on Thursday. No stranger to goalie controversies given his history in Vancouver, Vigneault laughed it off before adding that Lundqvist was his guy.

There was so much riding on the line last night. The Rangers could ill afford to fall behind 3-1 against a more dangerous Lightning as they had against the Caps. To a man, they knew they had to win Game 4 and come back home to MSG Sunday with the Eastern Conference Final tied 2-2. Without their best player, it doesn’t happen. Following a good first period which even featured a Rick Nash sighting- he scored at 17:18- the Rangers led 1-0.

The Lightning came out like Bolts of fire taking it to the Blueshirts at the start of the second. It took them about six seconds to win a faceoff and set up a shot. I’m exaggerating here but before you knew it, the shots were 7-1 Tampa. Lundqvist was tested often. He challenged more coming out to force Kucherov wide and deny Alex Killorn. Penalty trouble put the Rangers on the defensive. Both Marc Staal and Chris Kreider took bad penalties that allowed the Bolts to dictate.

Even following a big kill of a senseless Kreider offensive zone tripping minor, they came until finally Valtteri Filppula and Killorn combined to set up Steven Stamkos for a rocket that tied it at 11:30. With the Thunder Dome rocking, they continued to come looking for that surge they had pulverized Lundqvist with the last two games. It never came due to inspired play from the King. He was on his game turning aside 18 of 19 shots. That included bailing out teammates with Ryan McDonagh again struggling along with Dan Girardi. He made a big stop to deny a breakaway giving his team a lift.

”The last 48 hours or so, it’s been pretty tough trying not to overanalyze or complicate things soul searching,” Lundqvist said. ”I feel like the entire team stepped up. It feels so good when you’re feeling like you’re doing it together and not just one or two guys.”

Keith Yandle celebrates his goal that made it 3-1 late in the second with Rick Nash and Kevin Klein. AP Photo by Chris O'Meara/Getty Images

Keith Yandle celebrates his goal that made it 3-1 late in the second with Rick Nash and Kevin Klein.
AP Photo by Chris O’Meara/Getty Images

Goaltending came into play. Unlike the wild shootout they lost in overtime on Wednesday, the Rangers had the decided edge in net. While Lundqvist was making huge saves at one end, you had Ben Bishop coughing up a bad rebound of a Kevin Klein shot right to Kreider, who steered it home for the go-ahead goal at 15:17. A play started by Keith Yandle, who had himself a game finishing with a goal and two helpers. Over the last two games, Yandle’s been the Rangers’ most effective defenseman tallying five points (1-4-5). Exactly what GM Of The Year candidate Glen Sather got him for.

”I think there was a lot of talk about him and about his play, but there wasn’t any doubt from within our dressing room. Hank has done this so many times before,” Vigneault said. ”We knew he was going to come out and do what he always does, give us a chance to win. And, that’s what he did again tonight.”

Kreider’s goal seemed to give them confidence. Finally settling down, they got another big shift from Nash who took the team out to a private screening of Entourage Thursday night as a distraction. It did wonders for Nash, who dominated a double shift with Tanner Glass and James Sheppard. Controlling the puck, he patiently fed Klein who dished across for a Yandle shot that was headed wide before taking a favorable bounce off Victor Hedman past Bishop for a 3-1 edge at 17:04. Glass did the work in front causing a distraction. He might not have gotten credit for a point but his hustle paid off.

Martin St. Louis finally celebrates a goal scoring on the power play after drawing a high-sticking penalty. AP Photo by Chris O'Meara/Getty Images

Martin St. Louis finally celebrates a goal scoring on the power play after drawing a high-sticking penalty.
AP Photo by Chris O’Meara/Getty Images

Despite being outshot 19-6, the Rangers came out of the second plus-one leading the Lightning 3-1. It was mostly due to Lundqvist who finished with 38 saves stopping all 13 Tampa shots in the third. They also continued to find holes in Bishop’s game. That even included Martin St. Louis’ first goal of these playoffs. He got the monkey off his bag on a power play when he cashed in off a great misdirection pass from Derick Brassard firing a one-timer into an open side. The power play goal was started by some great hustle from Dan Boyle, who raced to keep a puck in and pass across to Brassard who faked shot and then had St. Louis for a finish that had to feel awfully sweet.

Clearly frustrated by the Rangers’ more edgy play that included an undetected Kevin Hayes chop on playoff star Tyler Johnson, the Lightning lost their discipline. Brenden Morrow was off for a hook when Yandle made another great play firing in front for a Hayes redirect into Bishop that Nash got a stick on prying the puck into the net for a two-goal playoff game with an assist. A nice turn of events.

”It’s just natural to grip your stick a little bit tighter and to not see the ice as well when you’re struggling,” Nash said. ”The puck doesn’t feel comfortable on your stick, so any time you can get a goal and get a little confidence it helps.”

One noticeable difference from this game compared to the previous two was the Rangers’ ferocity. While not perfect, they were more physical and got underneath the Bolts’ skin causing scrums including a somewhat entertaining shoving match between Carl Hagelin and former teammate Ryan Callahan. Hagelin also got in the face of Johnson with the outcome decided while McDonagh jousted with Ondrej Palat. Derek Stepan got an extra two for high-sticking and Kucherov got a misconduct.

Klein didn’t take kindly to Morrow interfering with Lundqvist in the final minute giving him a headlock. The Rangers stuck together. Glass also got in the face of Craig Paquette following a cheap hit on Sheppard with four seconds remaining. Finally, there was some animosity between the clubs. It only took four games.

Now comes a pivotal Game 5 back in Manhattan tomorrow night. The Rangers can take solace knowing they shutdown the Triplets limiting Palat, Johnson and Kucherov to three shots and no points. A big difference. They also know they have the better goalie who in a big spot, delivered once more. Lundqvist will have to continue to be great for them to advance. So will his teammates.

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Lightning Strikes as Kucherov’s OT winner puts Rangers behind

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Derek

So much for a bounce back performance. For a second consecutive game, the Lightning put up a six spot on Henrik Lundqvist. Unlike Game 2’s 6-2 blowout, this one was more damaging with Nikita Kucherov scoring at 3:33 of overtime to beat the Rangers 6-5 in a wild Game 3 at Amalie Arena.

Even after getting off to a quick 2-0 start on goals from Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast, the Rangers couldn’t get out of their own way. The more dangerous Bolts erupted for four straight taking a 4-2 lead late in the second period. Even after they showed resiliency getting the next two to draw even, the Rangers made costly mistakes that was the difference in another shootout.

Tyler Johnson continued his assault scoring his playoff-leading 12th goal and assisting on another. Triplet linemates Kucherov and Ondrej Palat each recorded two points. Steven Stamkos had a goal and assist while Alex Killorn scored twice. The Lightning had no trouble beating a subpar Lundqvist who gave up Kucherov’s game-winner from way out. He allowed six goals on 40 shots taking another beating at the hands of a team that owns him. It was the fifth time this season he’s allowed five goals or more to the Bolts.

Unless he improves dramatically, the Rangers don’t stand a chance of winning the series. Of course, it’s not only Lundqvist that’s been bad. It’s most of the team including a previously impenetrable defense that’s been exposed by the quicker and more skilled Lightning. In leading two games to one in this Eastern Conference Final, they’re taking advantage of every Ranger mistake. There are too many to list.

Even a great start wasn’t enough against the Lightning. Taking advantage of a ticky tac Craig Paquette roughing minor following the game’s first shift, Brassard fired a laser through a Chris Kreider screen past Ben Bishop to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead just 62 seconds in. Dan Boyle and Derek Stepan set it up.

Before 10 minutes had been played, Fast put them ahead by two when he followed up a rebound from Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. But before they could even get comfortable, a bad Boyle turnover at the point led directly to Stamkos coming with Killorn two-on-one on Lundqvist who steered the rebound right to Stamkos for a tap in cutting it to 2-1 at 11:55. Just a brutal play all around with everyone scrambling and Lundqvist hurting himself.

Another selfish Brassard penalty (hooking) midway thru the contest allowed the Bolts to tie the score. They converted their fifth power play goal already when Stamkos and Johnson combined to feed Palat for a wicked wrist shot far side on Lundqvist at 10:32 of the second period. Keith Yandle followed by getting nabbed for holding but on the delayed penalty, he drew a even up trip on Brenden Morrow leading to 4-on-4. What followed was another mind numbing sequence.

Marc Staal was set up perfectly in the slot. One-on-one with Bishop, he missed the net causing another Bolts transition which resulted in an all too predictable easy Johnson goal from Palat and Victor Hedman. How bad was it? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the lowest, I’d put it at a zero for the Rangers’ lack of focus. They were awful with Kreider in particular caught napping instead of taking Johnson.

Trailing for the first time, the Rangers put themselves in a bigger hole. Off another miscue, they watched Killorn outrace them and then pull up and fire a stoppable shot top shelf on Lundqvist at 17:18 to make it 4-2. Hedman set the play in motion letting Killorn do the rest. He’s been the best defenseman by a mile. He’s playing well defensively with Anton Stralman blanketing the all but invisible Rick Nash. Did he even play?

Down by two, the Blueshirts responded immediately thanks to another big shift from Fast. The emerging first-year Swede took a Kevin Klein feed and cut in on Bishop faking shot and then deking with a sweet backhand finish only 29 seconds later to pull them within 4-3. Stepan started it drawing a secondary helper.

They would tie it up on another power play early in the third. With Andrej Sustr off for tripping Carl Hagelin, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault sent out the second unit which included J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes, Nash, Yandle and McDonagh. After failing twice in a key portion up 2-1 in the second, the power play came through with Hayes skating into the slot before making a great dish for an open McDonagh, who shot high past a sprawling Bishop tying it with 17:32 left.

Playing in a tie game with a chance to steal it, another mistake put them down once more. This time, Kreider made a terrible decision. After taking a hit during a shift, he went for retaliation in a tie game with about six minutes left. After delivering the big hit, it took him out of the play entirely with allowing Nikita Nesterov to feed Kucherov who found a wide open Palat in front for his second of the game giving the Bolts a 5-4 lead with 5:55 remaining. It was a play so inexplicable that you wonder where Kreider’s head was.

Lucky for him, his teammates found a way to tie it with under two minutes left in regulation. Following a Tampa icing, the Rangers won a offensive draw back to Yandle, who didn’t hesitate for once with his shot getting deflected in front by Miller causing a rebound which Boyle deposited making it 5-5 with 1:56 remaining. For most of the period, they got killed on draws. No coincidence that after Vigneault moved Miller up to the ineffective Brassard/Nash unit, they finally got some results. Miller makes things happen and should stay for Friday’s pivotal Game 4.

Entering overtime, the Rangers were a perfect 4-0 while the Lightning were 2-0. Something had to give. Early on, the Blueshirts got good pressure with consecutive strong shifts from the Brassard line and from the third unit of Hagelin, Dominic Moore and Martin St. Louis. It was Moore who took the puck hard to the net and tried to beat Bishop with a backhand in tight but he stopped it and then the refs blew the whistle due to a player shoved into him. The puck was loose.

The stunning end came when Kucherov took a Nesterov feed in his own end and coasted past a slow changing Rangers before pulling up at the top of the circle and sending a wrister past Lundqvist to the stick side at 3:33. A shot so easy normally but not on this night and not against this opponent.

Now, the Rangers face a must win scenario. There’s no way they’re coming back against this team from 3-1 down. They aren’t the Caps. The Lightning have much more speed and are more explosive. Two straight games, they’ve gotten the Rangers to play a more wide open style which favors their up tempo attack. The Rangers must find a way to slow them down. They also must manage pucks better through the neutral zone and forecheck more consistently behind Bishop’s net. Make them play D.

They aren’t practicing tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments Vigneault makes. Unless they get better play from Lundqvist and Nash awakens, it could be lights out.

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