I will keep this blog somewhat brief, covering the thrilling 4-3 win in Game 3 with a look forward to Game 4 tonight at MSG.
Game Highlights:
Several items I noticed watching it and themes from Game 3, which will either need to be repeated or amended tonight:
Derick Brassard: Excellent performance in his first playoff game at MSG. Double-shifted when Darroll Powe went out and more than deserved the ice time he received. I would love to see get some PP time as he has shown good hands, seen on the goal, and ability to find others for open shots
Taylor Pyatt: I know we have been critical of him but he was a huge key in keeping the puck in on the goal to Aaron Asham and as he showed last year in Phoenix, he is very effective in the playoffs.
Rick Nash/Derek Stepan: Prior to Stepan's goal, a very average game for both, especially Nash, who is struggling with the tight checking and lack of open space. It's a theme we saw earlier in the season against teams that limit his space. He needs to do a better job of using his body to carve out space and make his presence known
Mats Zuccarello: Once again, he found a way to be productive. Thank god he is now an RFA, which should make it easier for them to resign him.
Brian Boyle: One of his best game in weeks. Was physical, went into dirty areas, effective on PK and meshed well with his linemates.
McDonagh/Ovechkin: Based on the comments the past two days, I expect this battle to be nasty and personal tonight. Ovie to prove he isn't tired and McDonagh to possibly be more physical and continue to try and make Ovi pay in his defensive zone, as he did in pinching and setting up the big goal by Stepan. In general, the battle between the two of them with Girardi is key, but it just got turned up a notch. In addition, add in Ovi's "embellishment" from Game 3 and tensions should be high.
Balanced playing time: Other than Powe, due to his injury, and Asham, who scored and was solid when he was in, the playing time was pretty equally distributed. Any major skew was due to the six PP the Rangers had. This needs to be a key tonight, assuming no major injuries or deficits in order to maintain continuous pressure on the Caps.
Marc Staal: Hard to complain in his first game back after two months. You can see he is not right and hopefully the more he plays, the better sixth/Spidey sense he gets about players coming to him from the blind (yes, I know, bad word, but hard to use another) side, and he adjusts to it.
Michael Del Zotto: I know the view is that the puck moves faster than the man, but that was not the case on the Caps' second goal. MDZ waited for the puck, creating the forecheck opportunity and end result was a goal. He made some nice plays and passes, but he has to have more of a sense of urgency in his own zone.
Henrik Lundqvist: Huge saves again and tell Joe B to shut up. On first goal, he had no chance, same on third. On second, Green beat him, but how many did he rob to keep the team close? Can be better but reason why the Rangers have been in every game and won Game 3. Congrats on Vezina nomination.
Braden Holtby: Book was to shoot high and he has done a good job there for the most part. That said, Boyle went high, short-side. Brassard high wide side, so he is beatable. Hates traffic in front, so need to continually put some on him.
Style of Play: One thing I noticed and we discussed heavily was the collapsing forwards. Torts needs to pull up the forwards slightly to avoid the major gaps that existed. The first two goals, Backstrom's deflection and Green's shot, came because the Caps had way too much room to skate in and move down in the zone resulting in those scoring chances. As mentioned, they are trying to fill lanes and banking on point shots being low percentage shots, but there is too much room. Pull up the forwards slightly and that will minimize the open spaces/point men and also aid in the breakout. There will be ebbs and flows with the key being to not give up anything on a down cycle and make those infrequent and short.
Power Play: Overall, was impressed by the movement, puck and player wise, but a lot more can be made. John Moore did a solid job Qb'ing the PP and should see most of the time there again. Still lacking traffic in front. Cally was hair late several times, largely due to the set up of it, resulting in shots Holtby saw with no one in front. I still think Boyle or Dorsett or Clowe, now that he is back, will see PP TOI to stand in front and screen Holtby.
Penalty Kill: Ok, not great. Great coverage in 6-on-4 for final 1:54, but need to make sure sticks are down and skates are moving so they don't get static. Can someone hit an empty net, please?
The crowd: Raucous. Wild. Supportive. What's needed again tonight and moving forward.
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