Shanahan suspends Raffi Torres for rest of Second Round

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Derek
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Marchand’s OT Winner propels Bruins to series lead

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Derek
OT hero Brad Marchand celebrates his Game One winner.
Getty Images/Charles Krupa
Overtime is the most exciting playoff hockey. Heroes are born. So are chokers. As hard as it is to admit, the Rangers are chokers. When they reach sudden death, it should just be called death because they can’t handle the pressure. There aren’t any other rational explanations. They saw their collective shadow and lost the opening game to the Bruins 3-2 in death. Brad Marchand’s goal at 15:40 of overtime gave Boston the series lead. 
He finished off a Patrice Bergeron pass off a two-on-one beating defeated goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist’s OT record fell to a head scratching 3-11. All it took was one Bruin shot to deal him his third consecutive loss in extras. Is it mental? Not so much for our goalie but for the rest of his team, yes. No one can say otherwise. As Bill Parcells says, you are what your record is. For whatever reason, the Rangers have lost 11 of 14 postseason games in OT since Hank took over in ’06. It’s gotten so bad that I don’t think I can watch another game if it requires a fourth period. Much like last week’s Game Five OT defeat, I left the house immediately and went for a long walk. At least they didn’t get screwed like San Jose.
They weren’t awful in Game One. It was a case of the Bruins raising their level when it mattered most. Neither team scored in a ho hum first. It’s a meat and potatoes series. Both old rivals are physical and tough defensively. Boston got it done with three rookie defensemen. They made life difficult on Lundqvist, who had to fight through traffic for most of his 45 saves. The Rangers were out-shot 16-5 in OT. It took a perfect play for the Bruins to finally win. The crazy part is Hank wasn’t at his best, allowing a Zdeno Chara knuckler to get through him and a Torey Krug shot to go off him. 
The Rangers didn’t play their best game but had a chance to steal home ice. They dug out of a 1-0 hole   in bizarre fashion. With time winding down in the second period, Rick Nash drove around the net and made a back pass for Ryan McDonagh, who teed it up. His one-timer beat Tuukka Rask with 1.3 seconds left. Nash had an active game registering a team high six shots and holding onto the puck to make plays. He was matched up against Chara, who made his impact felt by scoring a goal and setting up Marchand’s winner. The Boston captain logged over 38 minutes. Despite that, it was his defensive play on a Derick Brassard pass that forced a turnover- allowing the Bruins to go the other way and end the night. 
After being held without a goal for nearly two periods, the Rangers beat Rask on two consecutive shots in a 15 second span. They followed up McDonagh’s first by stunning TD Garden on the first shift of the third. Off a neutral zone turnover, Ryan Callahan sent Carl Hagelin down the right side. He centered for Derek Stepan, who buried his third to give them a 2-1 lead. It didn’t last. An obvious holding minor on Steve Eminger resulted in the Bruins tying it on Krug’s first career postseason goal. Having killed almost all of it, they allowed the B’s second power play unit to set up. Marchand recovered a loose puck and fed Dougie Hamilton, who passed for Krug, whose shot went off Lundqvist and in. It took Boston 2:41 to respond. 
The Rangers had three power plays including one late in regulation when Patrice Bergeron was nabbed for a hook. They were unable to cash in with John Moore taking an interference penalty that gave the Bruins a man-advantage with under two minutes left. They applied pressure but Johnny Boychuk’s last second try clanged off the post. The Bruins hit a couple of posts including Jaromir Jagr, who looked dangerous on another power play with Derek Dorsett in the box for interference 2:20 into OT. The B’s had the puck in the entire two minutes with only a save from Lundqvist getting a whistle so the Rangers could change. Boston got eight shots despite having one of the worst power plays. 
Despite being severely outplayed, they had a couple of chances but couldn’t hit the net. The ice wasn’t good. Our team was guilty of sloppy turnovers and over skating. The Bruins were quicker and went after it, earning the win. 

NY Puck 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (45 saves incl. 15/16 in OT-without him, it ends earlier)
2nd Star-Brad Marchand, Bos (1st of postseason-OT winner at 15:40, assist in 22:19-all over the ice)
1st Star-Zdeno Chara, Bos (2nd of postseason, assist, 9 SOG, 6 hits, 2 blocks, +2 in 38:02-best defenseman in the game)
Notes: Rask finished with 33 saves. … Hits were Bruins 51, Rangers 44. Milan Lucic paced the Bruins with eight while Chara and Boychuk each had six. Four different Rangers had five including McDonagh, Dorsett, Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt. … The Rangers blocked 29 shots led by Dan Girardi‘s five including a ridiculous diving block of a Tyler Seguin shot with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Remarkable. The Bruins had 21 blocks including six from Adam McQuaid. … Boston won 37 of 67 faceoffs led by Bergeron, who dominated going 14 for 18. The Rangers’ best was Boyle, who was 11 for 20. 
… Key Stat: Giveaways NYR 17 (Brassard, Callahan 3 each) Bos 4 (Bartkowski)
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Series Preview: Rangers renew classic rivalry with Bruins

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Derek
Zdeno Chara will be doing battle against Rick Nash as a classic rivalry is renewed.
Copyright Getty Images/Boston Herald

In the second round of the NHL playoffs, you have two classic match-ups. Indeed, four Original Sixes are left in the chase for Lord Stanley. Yesterday, Chicago and Detroit got going with the Blackhawks prevailing 3-1 over the Red Wings in what amounts to the final time they’ll meet out West. On the flip side, New York and Boston are sports adversaries who’ll continue to hate each other. No matter the sport, classic rivalries exist. The passion of two cities will be reunited again when the Rangers battle the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It’s their first postseason meeting since 1973. It only took 40 years. The fun begins tonight.

Ironically, both teams are here after long seven-game series that were every bit as challenging. The Rangers overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to stun Washington, winning three games at MSG by a goal and routing the Caps in Game Seven. They did it on the back of Henrik Lundqvist, who pitched consecutive shutouts by stopping the last 62 shots. They’re here because they’re a resilient group who sticks together under tactician John Tortorella. They advanced despite no goals from Rick Nash and just one from captain Ryan Callahan. Derek Stepan only had two and Carl Hagelin tallied two goals and two helpers. Derick Brassard led them with nine points. The strong defensive tandem of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi, who stifled Alex Ovechkin. Spare pieces Mats Zuccarello, Brian Boyle, Arron Asham and Taylor Pyatt stepped up along with Derek Dorsett and depth defensemen John Moore, Anton Stralman and Steve Eminger. Mike Del Zotto elevated his game when it mattered most. Ryane Clowe, Marc Staal and Darroll Powe remain out. Is this the round Brad Richards awakens? He finished last round centering Asham and Chris Kreider, who ironically set up Asham after being in the doghouse. It’ll take the same kind of team effort to beat the Bruins. 
The Bruins are built on toughness. In some aspects, they resemble the Blueshirts. A pesky bunch who can never be counted out, their experience is what got them through Toronto. At times against the Leafs, Claude Julien’s group was inconsistent. They nearly let a 3-1 series lead slip away. If not for a total collapse, we’d be talking about a different Original Six match-up. Astonishingly, Boston rallied from a 4-1 hole in the third period of Game Seven. They scored twice with Tuukka Rask on the bench. Milan Lucic and Patrice Bergeron forced sudden death. Ultimately, the clutch Bergeron was the hero, notching his second to send them to the second round. They made playoff history becoming the first team to ever comeback from a three-goal deficit in the final period to win a deciding seventh game. The Bruins boast offensive depth with playoff leading scorer David Krejci exploding for 13 points and Lucic right behind with nine. Linemate Nathan Horton has a penchant for scoring big goals. It was his goal that started the comeback. The B’s didn’t get much out of Brad Marchand and ex-Ranger Jaromir Jagr didn’t score a goal. No.68 can be a handful. Tyler Seguin was a no-show. Don’t underestimate energizers Daniel Paille, Rich Peverley, Chris Kelly or Greg Campbell. Shawn Thornton is one of the toughest fighters in the game who can also skate. 
Boston is led by captain Zdeno Chara, who anchors the blueline. He logged a ton of minutes with Julien leading heavily on the NHL’s best defenseman in my book. Chara combines enormous, physicality with adept skating and a lethal shot that can be a difference maker. His eight points rank third. With his team trailing by a goal, it was his big body that James Reimer had to contend with when Bergeron’s point shot snuck through. There’s nothing Chara won’t do to help his team win. The rest of the D is a question mark due to a combination of injuries and youth. Most notably, Chara’s underrated partner Dennis Seidenberg was said to be limping around following Game Seven after playing only one shift. Vets Andrew Ference and Wade Redden are also banged up. It’s ironic that Redden has become an important player for the Bruins. He played five games in Round One tallying a goal and assist. Boston was forced to play two rookies in Game Seven including the talented Dougie Hamilton, who got into three games while Matt Bartkowski was in two and had a goal in the deciding game. The B’s also can rely on vet Johnny Boychuk and Adam McQuaid. A lot depends on the back end’s health. 
The goalie match-up is fascinating with the game’s best Lundqvist up against Rask. In Beantown, it’s Tuukka Time with the 26-year old Finnish netminder more than capable of stealing games. Despite a great year where he won 19 games while posting a 2.00 GAA, .929 save percentage and five shutouts, he was overlooked for the Vezina with last year’s winner Lundqvist getting the nod alongside Sergei Bobrovsky and Antti Niemi. Indeed, Rask should have a chip on his shoulder entering the series. He enters with a 2.49 GAA and .923 save percentage. Respectable numbers. However, Hank posted a 1.65 GAA, .947 save percentage with two shutouts. Lundqvist wants to win badly. It’s his competitiveness that makes him such a great goalie. He hates losing. He knows what’s at stake. At 31 with one more year left on his contract, he wants to deliver a Cup back to Manhattan. It should be a great battle between two of the game’s best. 
As for the two coaches, Tortorella and Julien are both respected. They get their players to perform. Think about how close Julien was to losing his job. Had they fallen to Montreal in the first round two years ago, he would’ve been fired. Instead, they won the Cup. They continue to pull series out. Tortorella was on the hot seat before his team finished sixth and upset the Caps. It really wasn’t that much of a surprise. Now, they face another high seed who an entire TSN panel took. The Rangers have gone from pre-season Cup favorites to universally disrespected. That’s the way I want it. Let everyone continue to doubt them. They’re back to being a team, who still fights every inch for their coach despite cynics wanting him gone. Maybe they’re wrong. In the first round, they eliminated the No.3 seed. Now, they have an opportunity to beat the No.2 seed. It’s pretty obvious where I’m going with top seed Pittsburgh up a game on Ottawa. The Rangers have a chance to do something special. This is the second step.
Series Prediction: RANGERS IN 6
SECOND ROUND PICKS
East 
(1) Pittsburgh over (7) Ottawa in 6
(6) Rangers over (2) Boston in 6
West
(1) Chicago over (7) Detroit in 7
(6) San Jose over (5) Los Angeles in 6
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Video Of Day: Victorious Rangers Shake Hands With Capitals

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Derek
After every series, the best tradition in sports comes. As hard as it is for the loser to do, they shake hands and congratulate the winner, who pays their respect unless your name is Claude Lemieux or  Sean Avery. The latest installment between the Rangers and Capitals was as expected. Hard fought and went the distance. Even if Game Seven was a surprising result to a very competitive series, it was a battle. In the end, Henrik Lundqvist and shutdown tandem Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi were left standing along with a gritty bunch of Blueshirts.

For almost certain Hart winner Alex Ovechkin, it’s little consolation. The defeated look on the Caps superstar captain summed it up. Anyone who thinks he didn’t give it all he had doesn’t know hockey. He delivered a thunderous check that crushed McDonagh cutting him. Like the warrior he is, he returned after only missing a shift and continued to blanket the Great 8. This is what separates hockey from the other sports. To think our team only made it through one round. They still have three more to go and 12 more victories to reach 16 W. The Bruins are up next beginning Thursday. Another epic battle awaits in one of the oldest rivalries left. Boston versus New York. Get your popcorn ready.

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Rangers Team Mantra Didn’t Change

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Derek
Even when they trailed the latest installment of Rangers/Caps, our team never wavered in philosophy. John Tortorella’s demanding style finally won out over a higher scoring opponent. When it was over, Alex Ovechkin was held to a goal and assist. So was Troy Brouwer along with Game 5 hero Mike Ribeiro and Marcus Johansson.

Only one Capital registered two goals. Rover Mike Green scored a pair, including an OT winner in Game 2 that put his team in the driver’s seat. But a resilient Rangers club rallied back by winning the next two games at MSG by identical 4-3 scores. Each had plenty of suspense up till the final buzzer with Henrik Lundqvist never giving in. Even Riberio’s rebound of a Karl Alzner shot didn’t put them away.

Instead, the Blueshirts fought back harder. Lundqvist was perfect stopping the last 62 shots to post back-to-back shutouts. King Henrik made the clutch saves and teammates chipped in with disciplined play. They only gave Washington two power plays with each coming in tonight’s clincher. They remained poised by paying attention to every detail, which would’ve made former coach Tom Renney proud. It wasn’t just Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan and  Brian Boyle stepping up defensively by sacrificing their bodies. Everyone bought in.

All in a night’s work, the Rangers blocked 27 shots and delivered 41 hits. Every skater got the road white, red and blue jersey dirty. Rick Nash was brought in to score goals. He may not have gotten one in his first series as a Blueshirt but set up their third goal and blocked four shots. When a star player who’s been under media scrutiny buys what Tortorella is selling, it’s all you need to know about the team. A look at Mats Zuccarello and the kind of complete player he has become since returning is part of that transformation. Zuccarello scored a goal and had four assists while never shying away from any of the Caps’ big boys.

Chris Kreider played a role in the big win. Last year’s rookie hero played on the fourth line and made a great back pass that allowed Arron Asham to step into one for the Rangers’ first goal. In less than eight minutes, Kreider took the body finishing with five hits and plus-one in 12 shifts. The challenging style hasn’t fazed newcomers Derick Brassard, John Moore and Derek Dorsett, who each came over at the deadline from Columbus for Marian Gaborik. There was Brassard leading the charge again with his two assists adding to a team best nine points (2-7-9) including the only goal the Rangers would need to win Game 6. The development of Moore has allowed Tortorella to trust more of his defense, which could prove pivotal as they move forward. For now, that’s without Marc Staal. Dorsett has fit right in since returning playing the rugged game that made him a solid addition.

A Ranger disadvantage much of the season has become a solution. Suddenly, they possess more depth than first thought with Tortorella able to plug Dorsett and Taylor Pyatt on a checking line with Boyle. Brassard’s offense allowed him to use Brad Richards on the fourth line with Asham and Kreider. They’re still without Ryane Clowe and Darroll Powe with their status uncertain for the second round against Boston. For now, he’ll go with what got them here, including Steve Eminger’s best night as a Ranger. The vet defenseman, who was benched earlier in the series, tallied a pair of assists while making a key block that led to Zuccarello’s goal. It was also his shot which Dorsett got a piece of that Pyatt deposited for a crucial two-goal lead that instilled more confidence. To think that the same player barely saw the ice a couple of games ago wound up getting over 17 minutes, rewarding the coaching staff in 25 shifts.

When it was all over, the Rangers celebrated the comeback by mobbing the focal point Lundqvist. He stood tall, allowing them to play the way they had to in knocking off a higher seed. It’ll be the same mantra against another quality opponent. It doesn’t get any easier. The fun is just starting. 

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History Is Made: Rangers Eliminate Capitals

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Derek
Left: Arron Asham is congratulated after scoring the Rangers first goal. Above: Taylor Pyatt  gets ready to tuck home his first with Derek Dorsett in front of Braden Holtby.
All Photos Copyright Getty Images/Alex Brandon

Before the series, I took them to win in six. So did Hasan. The Rangers decided to do it the hard way. They rallied from an 2-0 deficit and 3-2 down to comeback and eliminate the Capitals. Our team made history by finally getting the monkey off their back. For the first time ever, the Rangers won a Game Seven on the road, clinching the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in convincing fashion. 

In what was another tight series against a tough opponent, the Rangers pulled away from the Capitals – defeating them 5-0 to advance to a second round Original Six match-up versus the Bruins. If their story was amazing considering how many goals (11) they had entering the deciding game, Boston’s was more memorable rallying from 4-1 down to stun the Leafs 5-4 in sudden death. They became the first team ever to comeback from three down in the third and win Game Seven. It sets up one of hockey’s classic rivalries with the Rangers and Bruins ready to do battle for the first time since ’73. 
As exciting a prospect as that is, I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys. They showed so much character in defeating the Caps. They methodically took them apart in a house of horrors, Verizon Center. Prior to the opening faceoff, we detailed how dominant Washington had been against us at home in the postseason. By scoring five on Braden Holtby, they made it a lot easier on themselves. The amazing aspect was that it was the supporting cast who came through. Arron Asham and Taylor Pyatt got the first two before Mike Del Zotto, Ryan Callahan and Mats Zuccarello tacked on later.
If there was one area they didn’t have an edge in, it was depth. The Blueshirts got it done minus Marc Staal and Ryane Clowe along with key penalty killer Darroll Powe. They overcame those injuries to prevail, showing playoff mettle. Having Henrik Lundqvist back there helped immensely. He proved why he’s the best goalie in the sport by shutting down one of the best offenses. Lundqvist posted consecutive shutouts against Alex Ovechkin, who tried like hell to spark his team. Astonishingly, he was limited to one shot despite pulverizing our players with a jaw dropping 13 hits including a Russian missile that forced Ryan McDonagh to get stitched up. This was Lundqvist’s best performance. Only one Cap (Mike Green) scored more than a goal. Hank stopped the final 62 shots to lead the Rangers back. 
The play of McDonagh and Dan Girardi can’t be overstated. The job they did against Ovechkin was amazing. Holding the game’s best finisher to one goal and zero points the final five games is unheard of. He was checked tightly throughout and never could escape either. When he broke in, forwards came back and helped. And when he had great opportunities in Game 6, Lundqvist was the last line of defense stifling him. Anyone who still believes Henrik can’t steal a series is delusional. I’ve criticized him in the past but not anymore. He is the man. 
The Caps came out fast, out-shooting the Rangers 9-4. They had 13 shots on Lundqvist in the first but couldn’t solve him. Our team played better too, getting nine on Holtby including Asham’s second. It came following a Lundqvist stop at the other end. Chris Kreider emerged with the puck on an odd-man rush and made a great drop for Asham, who fired upstairs using a Cap defenseman as a screen. The fourth line with Asham, Kreider and Brad Richards played well. Richards made a big defensive play, blocking a Joel Ward point blank chance. Richards was more engaged. Asham did take a high-sticking minor that sent the Caps to the power play with 1:28 left. But thanks to timely stops from Hank and crucial blocks, they escaped unscathed. 
After they killed the rest of the penalty in the second, Pyatt rebounded home a loose puck in front at 3:24 to put them up 2-0. On a relentless forecheck, Steve Eminger’s shot deflected off Derek Dorsett for a rebound chance. Moments earlier, Dorsett hit the crossbar. His hard work in front paid dividends for Pyatt’s first. Pyatt had an underrated series, doing a solid job on the cycle. Dorsett’s presence was felt. His muscle definitely aided our attack. 
Unnerved, the Caps completely fell apart. Over two minutes later, Del Zotto centered a puck for Mats Zuccarello that went in off a Cap for his first. Ironically, he scored the series clincher last year. This time, off some great work from Rick Nash and Zuccarello, Del Zotto took a Brassard cross ice feed and got a lucky bounce. He deserved the break. He played a second straight strong game finishing plus-three in 20:40 of ice-time. Down three, the Caps put some good pressure on for a few minutes. But they couldn’t beat Lundqvist, who for a second consecutive period, stopped 13 shots. Even in a more wide open game, it didn’t matter. 
I was a little concerned entering the third. But any fears I had ended when Callahan broke in on Holtby and beat him with a backhand into an open side at 13 seconds for 4-0. Throughout the hard fought series, he battled John Erskine. This time, it was Erskine who blinked turning over the puck off the opening faceoff, allowing Captain Cally to finally get off the snide. At that point, it was over. The Caps were a beaten team. Zuccarello added his first when he undressed the Cap D and then Holtby with one of his many moves from the shootout reel. Eminger denied a Cap opportunity and passed for Brassard, who sent Zuccarello in on Holtby. A great reward for one of the unsung heroes of this team’s turnaround.
All that was left was whether Lundqvist would get the shutout. He turned aside nine more in the third  as the Rangers finally allowed our fans to breathe easier. No anxiety attacks tonight. Only a sweet series victory without hearing that annoying goal horn.
Onto Round Two.
Henrik Lundqvist is congratulated by Steve Eminger.
Henrik Lundqvist stretches out to make a pad save.
All Photos Copyright Getty Images/Alex Brandon

NY Puck 3 Stars: 
3rd Star-Steve Eminger, NYR (2 assists, 2 blocked shots, 3 hits, +2 in 17:10-unlikeliest hero epitomizes a historic night)
2nd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (3 blocked shots, 7 hits in 21:08-our defensive catalyst stepped up minus Staal)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (35 saves incl. 26/26 1st 2 periods-2nd straight shutout-best goalie on planet stopped final 62 shots) 
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Game 7 Rangers/Caps Preview: Rangers Aim For History

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Derek
Rick Nash screens Braden Holtby on Derick Brassard’s deciding goal that forced tonight’s Game 7.
Getty Images/Kathy Willens

In less than two hours, the Rangers and Caps will take to the ice in Verizon Center for Game 7. One team will advance and the other will have a long summer ahead. For the Blueshirts, it’s a chance to finally make some history. In franchise history, they’ve never won a deciding Game 7 away from MSG. 

Indeed, the Rangers enter tonight’s big game 0-5 in road Game 7’s. Last year, they won two deciding games to advance all the way to the Conference Finals. However, both came in the more friendly setting of The Garden. In his career, Henrik Lundqvist is 2-1 with a 1.33 GAA and .946 save percentage. Hank edged Braden Holtby last year making 22 saves en route to a 2-1 Game 7 victory that helped the Blueshirts advance to the third round. 
Everyone knows what’s at stake. In Game 7, anything can happen. Even in a series where home ice has meant everything. Historically, the Rangers don’t fare well in Washington. In order for them to move on, that must change. Since Marian Gaborik‘s triple overtime winner that won Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semis last year, the Rangers have dropped five straight postseason games in D.C. Dating back to the ’09 first round when the Caps rallied from a 3-1 deficit, they’ve lost seven of their last eight. They’ve been outscored 19-5. 
The theme has been the same. A lack of offense. Unless Lundqvist can duplicate his performance from Sunday, the Rangers need someone to step up offensively. The likely candidates are Ryan Callahan and Rick Nash. Neither have scored in the series. If they are to reverse history, it says here that one must get on the score sheet. On the Washington side, Alex Ovechkin‘s been held to one goal. He’s looked dangerous the last two games but is without a point over the last four. The task doesn’t get any easier for the Ranger D. Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi must continue to limit his time and space with the support of forwards. They also must continue to front Mike Green. 
If they do get the job done, a sustained forecheck similar to last night is imperative. Limiting the Caps’ touches is part of the strategy. The Rangers must remain disciplined. Washington had no power plays in Game 6. Coach Adam Oates complained. It’ll be even more challenging with a revved up Caps crowd ready. The Rangers have had 12 more power plays in the series, only converting 2 of 26. Meanwhile, the Capitals are 3 for 14. In all three of their wins, they scored a power play goal. 

“You make your legacy as a player in these type of situations,” John Tortorella said. “A number of our guys last year had a blast playing in these games. Some guys handle it. Some guys don’t.”

“They play really well at home and they’re confident,” Lundqvist said. “The games we’ve played in that building, special teams have played a big part. We played a really disciplined game, and that’s going to be key for us because they have a really good power play, so you have to respect that.“


The puck drops soon. 
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Video Of Day: Ranger Fans Celebrate Game 6

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Derek

There’s nothing like a home playoff win. At least as seen here filing out of a pumped up MSG yesterday, some of our fans went a little over the top. All in good fun.

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Video Of Day: Islanders Salute Fans

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Derek
A couple of days removed from a bittersweet ending to a great first round series, the Islanders did their fans proud by giving the Penguins all they could handle. Two overtime defeats at home proved to be the different with Brooks Orpik winning Game Six at 7:49 of overtime. 
Here (seen above), the Islanders saluted their fans following the series at Nassau Coliseum. Also below is the best sports tradition that separates hockey. The handshake between the two combatants.
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King Henrik Stands Tall: Rangers Edge Caps 1-0 To Force Game 7

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Derek
A jubilant Henrik Lundqvist acknowledges MSG after shutting out the Caps in Game 6.
Getty Images/Kathy Willens 

At some point, you knew our goalie had to deliver a big performance. He isn’t the best in the sport for nothing. Henrik Lundqvist stood tall, stopped all 27 shots en route to his first shutout of the series. He made Derick Brassard’s second period goal stand up as the Rangers edged the Caps 1-0 to take Game Six- forcing Game Seven Monday night in D.C.

Lundqvist made 12 saves in a frantic third to pitch his sixth career postseason shutout. The Rangers needed every single one to give a pumped up MSG what they wanted on Mother’s Day. A hard fought battle which saw them do some of their best forechecking of the first round series. They also helped Hank out defensively by getting sticks in lanes and breaking up plays. Our Blueshirts back checked efficiently and didn’t take a penalty until a dust up at the final buzzer. The Caps never got one power play. The Rangers had five but predictably couldn’t cash in.

All it took was an odd Brassard shot that snuck past Braden Holtby to take it to seven. For a second straight year, the Rangers and Caps will go the distance. They also went seven in ’09. Washington came back from a 3-1 deficit four years ago. The Rangers prevailed in a seesaw affair in ’12. Now, someone will be the hero. Only one will advance. There’s no rest for the weary. The deciding game is tomorrow at 8 PM.

”We needed it. There was desperation out there,” an appreciative Lundqvist said of his team’s yeoman effort to force a seventh game. ”We showed a lot of character and worked really hard. It was that type of game where you pay the price – big saves, physical. Great win.”

The Rangers did it by winning more battles. They controlled most of the play until the third when Washington finally woke up. It wasn’t one-sided. The Rangers still got seven shots on Holtby, who aside from Brassard’s tally which originally was credited to Rick Nash, was sharp making 28 saves. He was busy in a first period that featured three penalties on the Caps. That included an Eric Fehr elbow to Brassard, giving our team a two-man advantage. In typical Ranger fashion, they didn’t get anything done. Despite out-shooting Washington 12-8, they went into the locker room scoreless.
There were no penalties in the second, which was more entertaining. There weren’t many whistles and each team searched for that elusive goal to take the lead. It finally came thanks to some hustle from Mats Zuccarello. He kept a play alive getting the puck to John Moore. Eventually, Moore pased for Brassard. Encouraged by the fans to shoot, he finally did and it took a good bounce through traffic to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 9:39 of the second. It was his second and team leading seventh point of the series. Where would they be without Brass? He came over from Columbus with Moore and Derek Dorsett for Marian Gaborik, who ironically gave his former team some love in a tweet. 

”We are just going to have the same mentality we had coming into this game,” Brassard said. ”We just played our game, had fun. The guys were relaxed, and that’s what we need to do (Monday).”

”There are a lot emotions. You can expect scrums and things like that,” Dorsett pointed out after drawing two penalties and playing a spunky game in 12 minutes. ”You’ve got to play your game. You can’t just go out and think you’re going to scrum it up and win the game.”

They threw hits with none more resounding than Mike Del Zotto’s on Mathieu Perreault early that got the crowd going. Del Zotto has received plenty of deserved criticism but he didn’t let it affect him, playing a physical game with a team best five hits. The Rangers out-hit the Caps 33-28. Another key aspect was their success on faceoffs. They went 27-for-45, allowing them to have more puck possession. Such an important area when you face a dangerous opponent. 
The Caps still got their chances with Lundqvist stifling Alex Ovechkin twice. That included a tricky lacrosse try where the Washington captain batted a backhand out of mid-air with under a minute left and Holtby on the bench. He made the money stops to prevent Ovechkin from scoring. He doesn’t have a goal in five consecutive games and is without a point in four straight. The longest stretch of the season.

”Especially late in the game, he made some great saves,” John Tortorella said. ”Last year, and now he has another Game 7, I think that builds. The ultimate goal for Hank in his mind is to win the Stanley Cup, but you need to go through these types of situations to get there.”

In order for them to win, the Rangers have to do it on the road. The home team has won all six games. Their recent playoff history at Verizon Center isn’t good with only Gaborik’s triple overtime Game Three winner the only success story. 

”They play really well at home and they’re confident,” Lundqvist said. ”The games we’ve played in that building, special teams have played a big part. We played a really disciplined game, and that’s going to be key for us because they have a really good power play, so you have to respect that.”Play hard, but play smart.”

In franchise history, the Rangers have never won Game Seven away from MSG. They’re 0-5 all-time. They’ll look to alter history Monday. 
NY Puck 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (assist, 2 SOG, 2 hits, +1 in 20:55-does so many things well)
2nd Star-Derick Brassard, NYR (2nd of series-game-winner, 8-for-14 on draws, +1 in 19:48)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (27 save shutout-1st of series-6th career postseason)
Notes: Chris Kreider replaced injured Ryane Clowe, receiving five shifts (4:05). He had two hits. … When the game was over, Derek Stepan mixed it up with John Carlson while Dan Girardi went at it with Troy Brouwer. … Stepan led the Rangers on draws finishing 11-for-16. … The Caps held a slight edge with 19 blocked shots to the Rangers’ 17. Steve Olesky had five and Anton Stralman four. 
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