Battle Of Hudson

For the first time in his career, John Tavares is one of three players who is up for the Hart Trophy. In only his fourth season, the 22-year old New York Islander franchise center led his team to the postseason for the first time since ’07. In 48 contests, he led them in goals (28), points (47), power play goals (9), power play points (16) and game-winners (5). He also finished with a 17.3 shooting percentage.

Sidney Crosby fires a shot for a goal. Getty Images/Gene J. Puskar

The Penguins got exactly what they needed. Tomas Vokoun stopped all 31 shots to blank the Islanders 4-0 in Game Five. Pittsburgh leads the best-of-seven first round series three games to two. They put the Islanders on the brink thanks to a three-goal explosion in the second period.

The East’s No.1 seed played like it for a change. Following a shaky first period in which they relied on Vokoun (14 saves), the Pens scored three times over a 6:35 span. The first two came 82 seconds apart. With the big contest still scoreless, Norris candidate Kris Letang made a stretch pass that sent Tyler Kennedy in on a breakaway. Kennedy didn’t play the first four games but made his coach look brilliant by scoring his first of the series past Evgeni Nabokov. The goal came at 7:25 of the second. Brandon Sutter also added an assist.

Suddenly feeling better about themselves, the Pens attacked the Islanders vigorously. A strong fore-check from Chris Kunitz led directly to their second goal. A hustling Kennedy kept the play alive by out-hustling an Islander to a loose puck. He played it to Evgeni Malkin, who sent it behind the net to a fore-checking Kunitz. He delivered a check to win the battle and got the puck to defenseman Doug Murray. Murray simply flung a routine wrister which Nabokov stunningly bobbled out of his glove into a gaping net.

The back breaking goal resulted in a 2-0 Pens lead, energizing Consol Energy Center. Prior to the two goals, it was dead silent on pins and needles. The Isles outplayed the Pens till that point. Though they didn’t get many high quality chances like the past three games, they forced Vokoun to make key stops. Unlike Marc-Andre Fleury, he was equal to the challenge with teammates coming back to clear any rebounds. Pittsburgh played a safer and smarter game, helping Vokoun get comfortable. They waited for their chances and pounced. That’s why they’re so dangerous.

Vokoun came up with his biggest save on John Tavares, stoning the Isles’ best despite a brilliant move. Shortly after, the Pens’ best came through with a highlight reel goal. Sidney Crosby struck quickly to put the home team up three. Taking a Jarome Iginla pass through the neutral zone, Sid The Kid overpowered defenseman Thomas Hickey– splitting between him and Lubomir Visnovsky before firing a laser past Nabokov inside the far post. The goal was reminiscent of the kind Mark Messier was known for. He used his strength like Mess, bulled through and then pushed off one leg and in one motion snapped it. That’s why he’s the best player in the world.

Crosby’s third of the series really dejected the Islanders. They were outscored 3-0 and out-shot 18-11 in the middle stanza. Only two penalties were called through the game’s first 40 minutes. In the final period, the Isles lost their discipline. Matt Martin got nabbed for roughing during a post-scrum with Paul Martin. It wasn’t a great call. Regardless, the Pens cashed in when Letang notched his second from Crosby and Martin, who probably should’ve been in the box. With the score 4-0, Jack Capuano replaced Nabokov for the second time in the series with backup Kevin Poulin. He also appeared in the only other un-competitive game back in Game One when the Pens defeated the Isles 5-0.

This one was different. It was more methodical. Pittsburgh wore down the Islanders. The Isles only got six shots on Vokoun in the third. However, they did mix it up with the Pens late. These teams hate each other. At the conclusion of Game Four, it was the higher seed that was angry. This time, the No.8 seed tried to send a message that they aren’t going away. If they are to stay alive, the Islanders will need to rev it up in front of their home crowd one more time on Saturday. Win and they force Game Seven the next day. Lose and they go home.

The Islanders have never lost to the Penguins in the postseason, winning three previous times including their last series when they upset the two-time defending champs in ’93. That team came back from a 3-2 deficit, defeating the Pens in their barn on an overtime goal from David Volek. We’ll see if they can duplicate it this weekend.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Tomas Vokoun, Pit (31 save shutout incl. 14/14 in busy 1st)
2nd Star-Sidney Crosby, Pit (3rd of series, assist- 8 points in 4 games, +1 in 19:25)
1st Star-Kris Letang, Pit (PPG-2nd of series, assist, 5 SOG, +2 in 24:21-dominated on both ends)

Game Summary: New York Islanders 0 Pittsburgh Penguins 4

Notes: Nabokov was chased early in the third after Letang’s power play goal with 14:17 left. He gave up four goals on 27 shots. Poulin stopped all four in relief. … The teams combined for 60 penalty minutes in the third (NYI 34 Pit 28). Martin, Keith Aucoin, Murray and Craig Adams all were assessed misconducts with 24 seconds remaining. … Each club made lineup changes. For Pittsburgh, Kennedy, Joe Vitale and Simon Despres replaced Jussi Jokinen, Tanner Glass and Mark Eaton. On the Islander side, Jesse Joensuu, Hickey and Radek Martinek were in for David Ullstrom, Andrew MacDonald and Matt Carkner.

… Pittsburgh took control on face-offs winning 37-of-58 (64 percent). Vitale went 9-for-10, Sutter was 8-for-12 and Crosby went 10-for-18. The Isles’ best was Joensuu, who finished 5-for-9 while Nielsen was 6-for-13. Tavares struggled losing 13-of-18 while Casey Cizikas dropped 10-of-14. … Pens out-hit Isles 33-27 led by Matt Cooke (6). Matt Martin had a game high eight. … Pens blocked 14 shots to the Isles’ 9. Brooks Orpik blocked three for the Pens and Hickey rejected four for the Isles. … Game Six is Saturday and expected to be a 7 PM start at Nassau Coliseum due to Ottawa eliminating Montreal in five games tonight. 

Despite having a respectable NHL career that’s included 700 career games, Vokoun doesn’t have much postseason experience. He’ll be making his 12th appearance tonight in a crucial Game Five with the first round series tied. His previous 11 postseason games came with Nashville where he went 3-8 with a 2.47 GAA and .922 save percentage. Astonishingly, it’ll be his first start since ’07.

“We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us and be a goaltender we can count on to go in and play big games. He’s done that this year for us,” noted Bylsma following team practice Wednesday.

“We’ve got a lot of heart, we’ve got a great group, we never give up, and we’ve got a great goaltender,” Isles’ captain Mark Streit said Tuesday after his two goals and assist led them to a 6-4 victory. “And this place, right now, it’s great to play, and we want to come back here a few more times.“

Carl Hagelin celebrates his goal with Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan Getty Images/Kathy Willens

They did it again. For a second consecutive game, the Rangers made MSG rock. How I wish I was there. At least Dad, Justin and Mike are leaving the building in great spirits with the rest of our True Believers. Facing another must win, they got the job done by going toe to toe with the Capitals for a second straight game. In each victory, your Broadway Blueshirts scored over three to prevail. The polar opposite of the regular season. They just figured they’d save the best for last.

What a time for it to happen. The Rangers did it by sticking together. They showed tremendous character in taking Game Four 4-3. The first round series is now a best-of-three with Game Five back in Washington. Our team won by out-scoring the Caps 2-1 in the third. That followed a disastrous ending to the second period. The Rangers blew a 2-0 lead. In fact, the Caps had all the momentum following Troy Brouwer’s wicked backhand that tied it with 18 seconds left. They even made Henrik Lundqvist make one more save before the buzzer. However, Jason Chimera pushed Anton Stralman into Lundqvist to give them a power play to start the third.

Previously, they blew a 5-on-3 leading by one. All the power play failures have become comical at this point. Our fans never expect anything. The Caps got better shorthanded chances. Perhaps the intermission gave John Tortorella and top assistant Mike Sullivan a chance to rethink strategy. That’s the only explanation. With the game tied, they sent out the unlikeliest five-man unit and it worked. Derick Brassard, Brian Boyle and Mats Zuccarello were up front while much maligned Mike Del Zotto teamed with Dan Girardi on the points. Amazingly, they scored 59 seconds into the third. A strong play along the board by Zuccarello allowed Brassard to set up a Girardi one-time blast that beat Braden Holtby. It was Girardi’s first of the series.

Back ahead, the Rangers restored a two-goal margin thanks to some good aggressive play from the reformed top unit of Ryan Callahan, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan. Callahan finished a check behind the net, freeing the puck to Hagelin. Hagelin walked out and centered for a wide open Stepan, who buried his second in two games. It’s that trio who’s gone above and beyond all year. Fitting that they delivered such a big goal. As it turned out, Stepan’s marker proved to be the game decider a second game in a row. He deserved it.

Before they could get too comfortable, the resilient Caps struck back 1:29 later to slice the deficit to 4-3. A great shift from Mathieu Perreault and Joel Ward allowed defenseman Karl Alzner to step into a shot which changed direction past a surprised Lundqvist. It was credited to Perreault. Oddly enough, the forechecking of Perreault, Ward and Eric Fehr caused fits. They were their best line, dangerous every shift. In particular, Ward came oh so close to tying it on two difference occasions including one that a sprawling Lundqvist just got a piece of to keep it out.

There were plenty of frantic moments where they were on the verge of coming back from two goals down twice. Thankfully, it never came. The defense on Alex Ovechkin was stellar. Both Girardi and Ryan McDonagh stifled the Great 8 for a second straight game. Of his five attempts, only one got through with another three missing completely. Prior to Game Four, he said he liked facing McDonagh and Girardi because ‘they don’t hit much.‘ There was one long shift where the Caps pressed for the equalizer. Ovechkin was out with Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. Backstrom and Green had better looks while McDonagh stuck to Ovi like glue. Maybe he should rethink his statement.

The Rangers didn’t sit back either. Even though the more talented Caps attacked at every opportunity, our team went for it when the opportunities presented itself. A key defensive play from Rick Nash and a critical face-off win from goalscorer Brad Richards helped them escape trouble. Neither has been particularly impressive but those kind of hustle plays is why the series is tied. A strong shift from Boyle, Zuccarello and Brassard resulted in a quality chance. Zuccarello fed Boyle, who forced Holtby to make a tough save with under two minutes left. The trio received an ovation.

In another Groundhog Day moment from Game Three this year and in 2011 against this damn team, the final minute was insane. The Caps pulled Holtby for an extra attacker and Ward nearly forced overtime. Fortunately, Lundqvist got enough of the puck to force it wide. An Ovechkin rocket wide and missed pass to the blueline killed valuable seconds. Backstrom got a final shot from inside the blueline that Hank stopped and sticked away into the corner as time expired.

Richards and Hagelin got the first two goals of the game. Richards cashed in a Holtby miscue rebounding home a Hagelin shot into a vacated net. Taylor Pyatt picked up an assist, getting it started by stealing the puck from Holtby. The Rangers had their best period of the series in the first, out-shooting Washington 13-6 and out-chancing them. They easily could’ve been up more if the two-man advantage came through. Hagelin got his second when he finished off a nice passing play from Ryane Clowe and Brassard. Clowe’s first playoff point as a Blueshirt. The Caps stormed back late stunning everyone. Brouwer’s tying goal came due to a bad line change. Green made a great keep and Brouwer blew a backhand past Lundqvist.

The third demonstrated how much character this team has. They played for one another and got the all important ‘W.’ Now, it’s up for grabs.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (assist, 6 SOG, 7 blocks, 5 hits, +1 in 27 shifts-23:31-Captain Cally is fearless. He led. Plain and simple.)
2nd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (2nd of series, 2 assists, 4 SOG, +3 in 22 shifts-16:16-Hags imprints were all over this game.)
1st Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (PPG-1st of series, 5 blocks, 3 hits, +1 in 29:35-without him and McDonagh, they don’t win)


Notes: With two assists, Brassard followed up a three-point Game Three with another great effort. That’s five points in two games (1-4-5). Both wins. He’s been tremendous. … Final shots were Rangers 34, Caps 30. Perreault, Ward and Green combined for 14 for Washington while Stepan, Callahan and Hagelin totaled 16 with Richards adding four. … Hagelin had a career playoff high three points (1-2-3) and went plus-three. … With a helper, Zuccarello has three assists over the last two. … Following the Caps’ second goal, Steve Eminger didn’t take another shift. Partner Del Zotto also got victimized going down to take himself out of the play on Perreault’s goal. Perreault was credited with the Caps third with the puck going off the back of his helmet. … Ward added two assists. … 

The Rangers took only two penalties while the Caps took four. The power play went 1-for-4 while a strong penalty kill blanked Washington in two chances. … Rangers out-hit Caps 38-20 led by Callahan (5). They blocked 33 shots including a ridiculous seven from Captain Cally. Girardi and McDonagh each had five and Del Zotto repelled four. The Caps rejected 20 paced by John Carlson (5) and Jack Hillen had 3. … Lundqvist finished with 27 saves while Holtby stopped 30 of 34. … A key aspect of the win was face-offs. The Rangers dominated in the circle winning 34-of-53 (64 percent). Brassard went 8-for-9 and Boyle was 11-for-16. Stepan went 10-for-18. Backstrom was the Caps’ best going 9-for-16. Teammate Mike Ribeiro lost 9-of-11. … Game Five is Friday at Verizon Center.

Henrik Lundqvist is up for the Vezina again. The Swedish King was nominated for the NHL’s top goalie for the fifth time in his eight-year career. The 31-year old Blueshirt won his first Vezina last year. He joins first time nominees Sergei Bobrovsky and Antti Niemi for the award.

Hank’s strong finish to the season helped the Rangers make the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years. Down the stretch, he went 13-5-2 with a 13-5-2 record, 1.77 GAA and .935 save percentage. The backbone of the team, Lundqvist allowed two goals or fewer in 16 of his last 20 contests. Without him, they don’t sniff the postseason. In a year where they struggled offensively, he bailed them out. They’ll need another stellar performance to even the best-of-seven first round series tonight at MSG.

In addition to tying Niemi for the league lead in wins (24), he posted a 2.06 GAA, .926 save percentage and two shutouts in a league best 43 starts. Lundqvist passed Ed Giacomin for second all-time wins for a goalie in franchise history. His 276 trail Mike Richter (301). His 45 shutouts are second behind Giacomin (49).

Though he probably won’t win the Vezina due to Bobrovsky’s standout season, Lundqvist should finish runner-up. He is the best goalie in the sport. Hank’s the most consistent and durable. Without him, our team would be in the lottery. If they are to overcome the high powered Caps, it will fall on the broad shoulders of the King.

    NEW YORK (May 8, 2013) — Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks are the three finalists for the 2012-13 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position,” the National Hockey League announced today.

    The general managers of the 30 NHL clubs submitted ballots for the Vezina Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date.

    Following are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets

    Bobrovsky (21-11-6, 2.00 goals-against average, .932 save percentage, four shutouts) backstopped Columbus’ late-season surge that kept the club in contention for a playoff berth until the final moments of the season. The first-time Vezina finalist appeared in all but one of the Blue Jackets’ franchise-record 12-game point streak (8-0-4) from Feb. 26 through Mar. 22 that spurred the club’s move up the standings. He won eight of his last nine decisions from April 9-27, posting a 1.64 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in that span. He ranked second among NHL goaltenders in save percentage and sixth in goals-against average.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

    Lundqvist, the reigning Vezina winner, tied for the NHL lead in wins, posting a 24-16-3 record with a 2.05 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. He also tied for the League lead in starts (43), ranked fifth in save percentage and seventh in goals-against average. He posted his eighth consecutive 20-win season, the longest current streak among active goaltenders. Lundqvist helped clinch his seventh trip to the playoffs in eight NHL seasons by allowing two goals or fewer in 16 of his last 20 games, going 13-5-2 with a 1.77 GAA and .935 save percentage in that span. He is a Vezina finalist for the fifth time, finishing first in 2012 and third from 2006 through 2008.

Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

    Niemi shared the NHL lead in starts (43), saw more ice time than any other goaltender (2,580:46) and ranked third in shots faced (1,220) and saves (1,127). He helped the Sharks post the League’s sixth-best defensive record (2.33 goals-against per game) by going 24-12-6 with a 2.16 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and four shutouts, tying for first place in wins and placing seventh in save percentage. Niemi is a Vezina finalist for the first time and is the fourth Finland native in the past seven seasons to make the top three, joining Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff, Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne.

History

    Leo Dandurand, Louis Letourneau and Joe Cattarinich, former owners of the Montreal Canadiens, presented the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1926-27 in memory of Georges Vezina, the outstanding Canadiens goaltender who collapsed during an NHL game on Nov. 28, 1925, and died of tuberculosis a few months later. Until the 1981-82 season, the goaltender(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season were awarded the Vezina Trophy.

Out West, the first team to advance was San Jose. The Sharks swept the Canucks out of the best-of-seven first round last night with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game Four at HP Pavilion. Third seeded Vancouver was sent packing on Patrick Marleau’s OT winner at 13:18. It came following an atrocious  call on Daniel Sedin for boarding.

It was a bad way for the series to end. Even if the Sharks earned the franchise’s first series sweep, you don’t call a penalty on a simple shove that wasn’t hard. San Jose also took advantage of a Kevin Bieksa crosscheck to force sudden death. Joe Pavelski steered home a Logan Couture follow up of a Joe Thornton rebound Cory Schneider couldn’t control. The goal came with 4:27 remaining in regulation.

The Canucks had rallied in the third from a one-goal deficit on the strength of two goals in 1:50. Alex Burrows finished off a nice passing play from Daniel and twin brother Henrik Sedin for a power play goal. Burrows set up Alex Edler at the point less than two minutes later. But Pavelski’s fourth of the series gave the Sharks new life. In OT, Couture came close to ending it with a goalpost. With Sedin in the box, Marleau got to a loose puck and buried his fourth to help San Jose advance to the Western Semis. Thornton and Dan Boyle drew helpers.

For Vancouver, it ends another disappointing year in which they failed to meet expectations. In a series that looked evenly matched on paper, they dropped four straight including Games 2 and 4 in overtime. Coach Alain Vigneault isn’t expected to survive. Despite what probably was his last press conference following the difficult result, he didn’t criticize the officials. Instead, giving credit to San Jose for playing a good series.

The Canucks remain an enigma. Even if Vigneault’s done, it might be time to look at GM Mike Gillis. Their roster is never good enough. They came awfully close to winning the franchise’s first Cup in 2011 but blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2, losing Game Seven to Boston on home ice. Since, they’ve been bounced in Round One by the Kings and Sharks. It’s safe to say they don’t want to travel to California for the first round anymore.

San Jose didn’t lose to Vancouver all year also taking the season series 3-0-0. They won the last two in a shootout and overtime. Overall, they went a perfect seven for seven. The No.6 seeded Sharks await the results of the other three Western series. Top seed Chicago took a 3-1 lead over Minnesota. No.2 seed Anaheim is tied with Detroit entering a pivotal Game Five tomorrow. The four versus five between St. Louis and Los Angeles has been ultra competitive with each team holding serve. It’s the most physical series.

If there are no more upsets, the Sharks will face the Blackhawks. They reseed. For now, they’ll rest up and wait. 

Game Four Islander hero John Tavares congrats winning goalie Evgeni Nabokov. Getty Images/Kathy Willens

The impossible isn’t. The Islanders are proving they can play with the Penguins. Since Game One, the eighth seeded underdog has taken two of three against the East’s heavily favorite top seed. After losing Game Three in overtime, the Islanders responded with an emotional 6-4 win in Game Four to square the best-of-seven first round series.

Continuing a trend, the teams ramped up the offense. After combining for nine goals Sunday, they totaled 10 tonight at a revved up Nassau Coliseum. This one had all twists and turns. It featured four ties and four lead changes. The final one went to the Isles, who battled back from a goal down in the third to prevail. They scored the last three on struggling Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed six goals on 24 shots. It was every bit as bad with him responsible for at least two. Since shutting out the Islanders in Game One, Fleury’s permitted 14 goals on 102 shots. He’s posted a 4.49 GAA and .863 save percentage. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma has one interesting decision for Thursday. Does he go to Tomas Vokoun?

While many will speculate, the Islanders clawed their way past the Penguins by out-playing them. The Pens relied on their talent to take leads of 3-2 and 4-3. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough against a thorough opponent who never gave in. The Isles won for the first time at home in the postseason since ’02. They did it on guts and determination. A recipe that works in the Spring. They also followed coach Jack Capuano‘s message by only giving Pittsburgh two power plays. The Pens didn’t connect on either, including a critical two-minute stretch in which they had the puck in the entire time. The Isles won the special teams battle, connecting once on four man-advantages.

With the game scoreless, Game Three culprit Brian Strait got redemption against his former team when he beat Fleury from way out. Following a pass from Lubomir Visnovsky, Strait patiently skated to the left before firing a white knuckler that dipped past Fleury. With the Coliseum rocking, the Pens came right back 45 seconds later thanks to James Neal. Back in after missing the past two games with an injury, he one-timed a perfect Evgeni Malkin cross pass by Evgeni Nabokov. Jarome Iginla added a helper. The Pens took the only three penalties of the first period.

Following a Pens kill, Strait took a high-sticking minor penalty. Pittsburgh never gave up the puck on the power play but couldn’t get one past Nabokov. An exhausted Isles’ penalty killing unit got the job done. It fired up the crowd. Shortly after, Matt Cooke bumped into Nabokov, who flopped to the ice like Devil adversary Martin Brodeur. The acting lesson paid off. Islander captain Mark Streit scored the first of two on the night. He took a Travis Hamonic pass and let one go from the left point. It dipped past Fleury for the Isles’ second lead.

As they had before, the Pens bounced back quickly. Prior to the game, Capuano talked about how they’re so good that they only need one chance to score. Malkin proved that theory true again when he skated through the neutral zone and beat Nabokov to tie it 58 seconds later. Following a Fleury save, he passed to Iginla who dished for Malkin. In on an odd-man break, Malkin whipped his second into the net. Fleury drew a helper. With momentum, they went up 3-2 on Brandon Sutter’s first of the series less than four minutes later. A big Cooke hit forced a turnover. Brenden Morrow retrieved the puck and dished across for Sutter, whose wrister from the left circle went off Nabokov’s left shoulder and in.

The next few minutes proved crucial. Pittsburgh was starting to dictate at even strength. Nabokov came up with a couple of timely stops during a Pens’ power play to keep the deficit one. Late in the second, a fortunate bounce allowed the Islanders to tie it 3-3. Kyle Okposo won a loose puck behind the net and sent a backhand off Fleury and in with 1:24 left. The goal was eerily similar to his Game Two clincher. Fleury was off his goalpost and victimized. Hamonic and Streit added assists. The crowd serenaded “Fleu-ry, Fleu-ry,” until the period ran out.

Following the break, the Pens got a nice bounce to go back ahead 4-3 less than a minute into the third. Chris Kunitz skated up ice and took a shot inside the blueline that caromed off Pascal Dupuis in front past Nabokov. Sidney Crosby helped set it up. It was his sixth point (2-4-6) since returning in Game Two. Earlier in the contest, he took a puck to the jaw, drawing cheers. Not Islander fans’ finest moment. You don’t cheer when an opposing player gets hurt.

Trailing for the second time, the Isles bounced back. Streit scored his second at 4:30. Off a good cycle from Casey Cizikas and Brad Boyes, the Islander defenseman fired a shot that banked off Doug Murray’s skate. With the game knotted at four, Nabokov made a big save to keep it that way until John Tavares put his team ahead for good. Boyes forced Malkin into a turnover. He got the puck to Tavares who cut in on Fleury and put home his own rebound, sending the Coliseum into a frenzy.

The Islanders led 5-4 with still 9:39 left. The Pens threatened after but didn’t find the equalizer. Instead, the Isles grinded their way until Cizikas put it out of reach with another mystifying goal. Following strong defensive work from Colin McDonald and Michael Grabner, Cizikas came in from a bad angle and sent a weak backhand on Fleury he bumbled into the net with 1:16 to go. At the buzzer, Iginla and Kris Letang hit Matt Martin in the corner, leading to Hamonic dropping the gloves with Malkin. As great a player as he is, Malkin is one of the dirtiest in hockey, always looking for the cheap shot. Hamonic didn’t stand for it. Ironically, the scene included Crosby and Letang. All of the Pens’ stars were out for a meaningless shift. Why were they fighting? Bylsma couldn’t have been too pleased.

Notes: Isles lost defenseman Andrew MacDonald with an upper body injury. He took 14 shits (15:36) before exiting in the second. … In twelve minutes, Cizikas had a goal and two assists while going plus-four with three hits. It’s that kind of yeoman effort the Isles have gotten from their supporting cast to make it a series. … NYI out-hit Pit 33-26 including a game high seven from Martin. … The Pens had 12 giveaways (Kunitz, Letang-2 each) to the Isles’ eight (Josh Bailey-3, Tavares-2). Each team had 16 blocked shots with Streit pacing everyone with five while Letang had three. … The Isles held an edge on face-offs 29-25. Frans Nielsen went 9-and-5 and Keith Aucoin was 4-and-2. Jussi Jokinen was a perfect 6-for-6 and Sutter went 8-and-5. In an oddity, Crosby lost 14-of-18. Tavares lost 9-of-15. … Game Four is Thursday at Pittsburgh.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Travis Hamonic, NYI (2 assists 3 hits, fought Malkin, finished -2 in 28:42 but was a warrior after partner MacDonald left)
2nd Star-John Tavares, NYI (scored game-winner with 9:39 left-exactly when his team needed it most)
1st Star-Mark Streit, NYI (2 goals incl. tying marker, assist, 5 blocks, 2 hits, +1 in 22:56)

Getty Images/AP

For the first time since March 5, Marc Staal returned. For a while, it looked like the Rangers All-Star defenseman might miss the rest of the year. Two months prior, he was struck by a puck dangerously close to his right eye putting him out of action. There were lingering doubts if he could comeback due to the visibility. 

Ryan McDonagh (above) dives after a loose puck in front of Henrik Lundqvist. Brian Boyle celebrates his first period goal along with Mike Del Zotto. Getty Images/Kathy Willens

Sometimes, it’s as simple as will power. Will you go that extra mile? In Game Three, the Rangers did what it takes to get back in their first round series against the Capitals. They showed tremendous character pulling out a hard fought 4-3 win at a loud MSG Monday. Derek Stepan scored the game-winner with 6:25 left and they gave our fans a courageous penalty kill until the buzzer sounded with the Caps pulling Braden Holtby for a six-on-four.

It was reminiscent of Game Three two years ago on 4/17/11. That one also had a late hero with Brandon Dubinsky scoring with 1:39 left. The Caps mounted a furious charge to tie it but diving Rangers wouldn’t allow them. The dramatic ending last night was even more chaotic. Brad Richards took a slashing minor on Alex Ovechkin with 1:52 remaining. That gave a dangerous Caps plenty of chances to force overtime. Having already rallied from one-goal deficits twice, they passed the puck around like the Harlem Globetrotters. Mike Ribeiro, Mike Green and Ovechkin kept moving it looking for that perfect one-timer. It never came. The closest they got to tying it was a pass across to Troy Brouwer, who was stoned by Henrik Lundqvist. He made 28 saves. Many quality despite permitting three goals. None which he could be faulted on. Two were deflections and the other a Green bomb through traffic.

For the first time in the last three series between Washington and New York, someone scored more than three. That it was our team defined their resiliency. The passion they played with is why they prevailed. The Blueshirts got back to getting the uniform dirty. They were more physical, out-hitting the Caps 33-22 and out-blocking them 17-14. Another theme that continued was shots missing completely with each team missing 14. Unlike the first two games, this one had ups and downs. Momentum swings and most notably, OFFENSE. The seven goals they combined for were an oddity. We’re not used to it. But if the Rangers are going to comeback and win the series, they’ll need to keep scoring. They responded to Holtby’s comments by putting four past him on 30 shots.

The difference was our guys won battles and went to the net. Every goal came from in front off great plays. They got a total team effort. The supporting cast was instrumental. Brian Boyle had a big impact, scoring his first of the postseason while adding an assist. More than that, he competed every shift and went from a fringe player to one John Tortorella trusted. Boyle got nearly 21 minutes, moving up. With the Caps already leading 1-0 thanks to a Nicklas Backstrom redirection of a John Carlson shot, they had a chance to make it two when Ryan Callahan went to the box for a roughing retaliation. A strong penalty kill kept the deficit one. Boyle tied it with 7:10 left in the first. Taking a Derick Brassard feed, he drove hard to the net and beat Holtby. It came as Joel Ward’s high-sticking penalty expired. Boyle’s aggressiveness was a theme throughout.

When the action was five-on-five, Washington dominated. They spent long shifts fore-checking in the Ranger zone. Our D kept collapsing leaving the points vacated. The Caps are familiar with how to attack them. Their active defensemen are adept at keeping the puck in and getting shots through. It’s a good thing the Rangers earned six power plays. It was a rare instance where the man-advantage actually built momentum. Over a minute into the second, Holtby tripped Rick Nash handing them a fourth power play. Having essentially scored on Boyle’s tally, this time it was a power play goal. It took only eight seconds for Brassard to take a Mats Zuccarello feed and whistle one upstairs for his first career postseason goal. After having a quiet Game Two, he responded with a goal and two assists along with five hits. Brassard played his best game as a Blueshirt. Zuccarello also was strong setting up two goals.

The physical play continued. With the crowd finally able to chant “Holt-by, Holt-by, Holt-by,” the Caps continued to lose their discipline taking two more penalties. The six minors left Washington coach Adam Oates speechless. His team was clearly better at even strength. Even though the Rangers didn’t take advantage, it killed precious time and kept Ovechkin on the bench. He doesn’t kill penalties. Once the action returned to five-on-five, Washington resumed control. Following a penalty kill, Oveckin, Backstrom and Marcus Johansson had a strong shift. It looked like a power play. In particular, Ribeiro’s line with Brouwer and Martin Erat gave the Ranger D fits. Even with Marc Staal back, they had no answer for them. That trio has been the Caps’ most effective thus far.

Callahan took a second minor. Usually so disciplined, the Ranger captain didn’t have a good night. He still led them with six hits but didn’t do much offensively and was in the box twice. Having lost key penalty killer Darroll Powe in the first to injury, Tortorella gave Taylor Pyatt a PK shift. He delivered along with Boyle, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. Ryan McDonagh was strong defensively, limiting Ovechkin to two shots. He would later factor in offensively. Lundqvist made a pair of saves on Brouwer. Despite not capitalizing, the Caps continued to pressure and finally tied it late in the second. Off a strong cycle from Jason Chimera and Mathieu Perreault, Green fired home his second at 17:19.

An unlikely source put the Blueshirts back ahead. Arron Asham isn’t known for his scoring touch. However, he’s in his 7th straight postseason dating back to ’07 with the Islanders. He’s only missed the playoffs once over the last 12 seasons. Maybe there’s a method to his madness. Entering yesterday, he’d scored eight times in the previous 61. Asham had no trouble finishing off a brilliant Brassard dish in front giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead 2:53 into the third. He started it by winning a board battle to play the puck behind the net to Pyatt. Pyatt worked it deep to Brassard who found a driving Asham all alone. Asham went top shelf for his ninth career postseason goal.

Undeterred, Washington struck back again. Following a Ranger icing, Jay Beagle won a face-off to Lundqvist’s right and had a puck glance off him making it 3-3 with 12:41 left. Joel Ward pushed the puck back to Jack Hillen, whose shot dipped off Beagle changing direction. At that point, Sam Rosen pointed out the obvious. Someone had to score four to win. That never happened the past two series between the Caps and Rangers. Who was gonna be the hero? That’s when Stepan stepped up. With the help of Nash, he deflected home a great pass in front past Holtby for his first at 13:35. The play was made possible by a pinching McDonagh, who kept the puck in at the blueline. He navigated around Ovechkin and worked it to Zuccarello who dished behind the net across to Nash in the corner. Nash found Stepan, who beat Backstrom for the winner- leaving Nash and Stepan all smiles.

That left 6:25 to protect a 4-3 lead. The Caps had their chances. But diving Blueshirts sacrificed their bodies to get a much needed victory. Even if they made our fans sweat it out, the anxiety driven final 1:54 was exciting. It reminded of Rosen’s dramatic call of that Game Three win against the same team two years ago. Let’s hope they can repeat it tomorrow and square the series.

Notes: A key contributor was John Moore. Since being acquired with Brassard and Derek Dorsett at the deadline for Marian Gaborik, he’s elevated his play. Tortorella gave him the assignment of running the power play. He received 5:37 of his 15:50 (15 shifts) on it. Moore made a big play on Brassard’s PPG, keeping the play alive with a good pinch. He didn’t get an assist but made the goal possible. Moore was aggressive finishing with three shots. … Eight different Rangers registered a point including Mike Del Zotto (assist), who otherwise struggled in 17 shifts (17:02). Though he had four hits and two blocks, he also had two of the team’s 13 giveaways. Anton Stralman had three despite playing stronger. The Rangers were guilty of dangerous turnovers in the neutral zone. An area that must be corrected for Game Four.

… Dan Girardi paced all skaters with five blocks. Danny G’s work with McDonagh was vital. In 24 shifts (22:58), he had two shots, three hits, a takeaway and went plus-two. … Of Callahan’s six hits, his best came on John Erskine in the first, forcing the rugged Cap defenseman to go to the locker room before returning. Erskine’s been a thorn in the side. So. any shifts he misses are a plus. … Ovechkin had four shots miss the net and some blocked. He was minus-one in 22:07. … The Rangers had 11 takeaways to the Caps’ four. Washington won the face-off battle edging New York 30-27. Backstrom went 11-and-5 while Perreault was 8-and-2. Boyle was the Rangers’ best, finishing 14-and-7. Brad Richards was abysmal losing 11-of-15 while doing nothing offensively. At some point, he must contribute. … Nash’s assist was his first playoff point as a Ranger.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (2 SOG, 2 blocks, takeaway, superb all around in 22 shifts-20:55)
2nd Star-Brian Boyle, NYR (1st of postseason, assist, 14-for-21 on draws, dominant in 29 shifts-20:42)
1st Star-Derick Brassard, NYR (PPG, 2 assists-3 points, clutch performance in 21 shifts-16:29)