A low scoring battle with any real risk taking.. or for that matter breathtaking. Henrik Lundqvist bailing his team out past regulation time. The team playing a conservative Overtime. Lundy out-patience-ing opposing shooters on their shootout attempts, and the Rangers grabbing two points and continuing to hang on to their Atlantic Division leading status with Mats in the house.
Henrik put on a show for Mr. Sundin tonight- there was certainly NO hangover effect on the Swede. He again made ridiculous stops from ridiculous point-blank ranges at ridiculous moments in the game. He was ridiculous between the pipes.
The Rangers played their typical game. They show flashes of immense potential at random times during the game, never really sustaining an ownage of the play. They get a break here or there and put one past the 'tender, but never enough to put the game away. The other team gets a good bounce or two and the game is tight for the last half of the third period- with both teams coddling their free point.
Once the Overtime is done away with by Renny's conservative-ness, we know we're in good hands.
Come playoff time, some things are going to have to change. But not yet. Let's get there first any way that we can. Because once you're there, anything can happen.
The one thing that did seem to change some was a bit of role reversal done by the Blueshirts (who were wearing white at home<3).>
The Ranger's PP showed a heartbeat today. There was movement away from the puck! There were shots from all angles, and there always seemed to be somebody crashing the net for a rebound chance.
Finally, Naslund broke the hex, and there was champagne from the heavens.
The PK has been brilliant all season long- a pleasing, continuous bright spot for this team. To see two of the guys who have been working the hardest on this team have it all pay off on a brilliant goal is really fun to see.
Hey, it's starting to become a grind out there, and the most important thing to do at this time of year is to rack up the points... by any means necassary.
Off to CALIFORNIA for 5-game road trip!
Thats all I can think to write right now. Hey, it was a slow game out there tonight- it gets a slow blog response.
GAME NOTES
...The Good
- Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev line continues to impress. Each player had a hand in the Ranger's first goal, and applied game-long pressure at Cam Ward's end of the ice. A lot of scoring is coming from this line right now.
- Henrik Lundqvist, as I mentioned, bailed his team out. Again. Without him this game is a 4-2 lost. He has to be one of the top 3 goaltenders league-wide. He has my Vezina vote.
-The Penalty Kill was exceptional in killing off 8 penalties, including an extended 5-on3. Kudos to the entire PK unit, which also provided a key goal.
-Geez it felt good to watch Drury net that one in beautiful fashion.
- Blair Betts had an exceptional game both offensively, defensively, and penalty killing-ly. Before his goal, his speed and determination resulted in two great scoring chances, and thankfully he cashed in on the third off a brilliant pass from Freddy Shoes. This is what teams look for in 4th liners, and he plays his role to a T.
- Ryan Callahan has put together a couple of strong games in a row. He is using his body and winning his battles, and it is not going unnoticed.
- I love Dan Girardi's physical game. This guy has the potential to be a very very good defenseman for the Rangers for a long time.
...The Bad
- Michal Rozsival got ABUSED by Eric Staal for the Canes first goal. And i mean abused in the most legal and devastating way. He was simply chased down, pick-pocketed, out worked, and beaten by Marc's older brother... and he looked bad doing it. The fans even began to show their displeasure later in the game.
- Nigel Dawes has been terrible with the puck, and the play, for an extended period of time now. What is this guy doing to keep a spot in the lineup that Petr Prucha isn't??
STARS OF THE GAME
3rd Star)... Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev. 1g, 1a, 1a. PPG, 2PPA. The line collaborated to create the PP goal that opened the scoring, and continued from there to provide a constant threat to the Hurricanes.
2nd Star)... Blair Betts. 1g, SHG. Had a few quality scoring chances before netting a pretty, and timely, shorty. The penalty kill, which BB plays a great part in (he had a few key shot blocks) was also instrumental in this win.
1st Star)... Henrik Lundqvist. 29 saves. Many of which were at point-blank range. Kept this game close, and was the only difference between 2 points or 0 points in this game. He makes the shootouts look easy, going 6-for-6.
-Rif
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