The Rangers pulled out a thrilling 1-0 win over the Caps on Sunday, buoyed by a goal by Derick Brassard and supported by the constant, stellar goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist. The combination of those two along with a strong forecheck that helped control action better than many games throughout the series and the discipline to stay out of the penalty box (more on that later) were the major reasons for the win. All that said, the Rangers are only halfway home and a game at the recent house of horrors looms on Monday.
We all the stats, many of which I posted in my prior blog. Losses in all five road Game 7 contests. One win in their last 11 games at the Verizon Center. Three losses, with just two goals scored in the three games this series down in Washington. Throw all those stats out the window. When the game starts, they mean nothing. They are great to throw around and debate prior to the game, but once the puck drops, it's mano-a-mano and all those numbers mean nothing, until the game ends. History is meant to be changed, that's the only thought that should be in the players' minds.
Game Highlights:
I will touch on a variety of topics here, as I have done throughout the series:
Playing Time: I liked that the top-four d-men all played more than 20 minutes. In addition, even Moore and Eminger each played more than 12 minutes, which helped the top-four be a bit fresher.
The forwards that started the game were: Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan, Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello, Dorsett-Boyle-Pyatt, Kreider-Richards-Asham. The five PP skewed time a bit, but interesting that Stepan, Callahan and Zuccarello all played over 20 minutes with Brassard just under that. Nash, Hagelin and Boyle all played around 18 minutes, with the rest of the forwards seeing diminished time (more on that coming up). The third line used their size and physical play to create open space and chances.
Brad Richards/Chris Kreider - I applaud Tortorella for finally shifting Richards down, as his play hasn't warranted top-six duty, The only reason he played 9:34 was because he saw 3:59 on the PP, which also has to change. I am glad Kreider dressed, but if you aren't going to trust and/or use him, then just play Kris Newbury. I am tired of hearing he doesn't trust him, play him with offensive threats and see what happens. Plus, you have a world class goalie in Hank, who can usually fix any glaring mistakes, of which Kreider really hasn't made many.
Rick Nash: Early on, much of the discussion on Nash was that he continued to put the puck onto his backhand instead of taking a wrist shot leading them to believe he has a wrist/hand injury. From watching the first period, that sure looked like the case. But as the game wore on, he started o look a bit more like the Nash we expected. Driving to the net, willing to shoot, rather than babying the wrist. Maybe there is no injury or maybe he just said screw it, if I am going to go out, it's going to happen giving it all, regardless of what happens.
Good job by Nash to get to the front of the net and set some sort of screen on Holtby. Excellent shot by Brassard and better patience to wait and set up the screen. Nice work by Zucc in the corner and good dish from Moore to Brassard on the goal.
Alexander Ovechkin: Held off the scoresheet for four straight games and he must be seething. I was impressed by him blocking two shots late in the first and driving hard to the net, almost drawing a penalty on Girardi. The Rangers have tried to limit his space, like what's being done to Nash, and hit him every chance they get. They now need to repeat that for one more game, to try and hold him down and in check.
Henrik Lundqvist/Braden Holtby: Hey Cloutier, average goalie my rear. This series would be long over of not for Hank. His shutout today toed him with Davey Kerr for most playoff shutouts with seven. Whenever he had to come up big, he did. Can you imagine how mentally and physically draining it must be to know that you have to be near-perfect nightly to win? Yet. every night, he puts up a similar kind of effort to give the team a chance to win. That said, Holtby has been almost as impressive. He may not be challenged as much as Lundqvist. but he too has been stellar between the pipes.
Style of play: The big discussion from today was if the coaching staff had modified the game plan, forcing the Rangers to play a bit more of an offensive style and less of a purely defensive mindset. I don't believe that it was change in style of play, I think it was better execution and maybe a slight tweak or two, pulling the forwards up slightly, but not a drastic change.
In addition, the team played a very disciplined game, and did a good job forechecking. When that happens, which has been the case at MSG, not so much on the road, it looks much better. I will agree that the forwards did not collapse as much and were better through the neutral zone.
If anyone can watch the second period and say with just one goal scored it was boring, they are nuts. I can understand saying the first was a bit slow, but the second was some of the best hockey I saw all year. Up-and-down, 5:54 without a whistle, chances on both ends, strong checking and clean hitting, fun, playoff hockey. In the third, the Rangers reverted slightly back to form, while the Caps raised their level, which was lacking a bit in the first two stanzas.
The current lineup has the mix of speed, size, quickness, physical play, awareness defensively and communication that was lacking much of the year. The Gaborik trade clearly helped, as it provided that missing depth, including Brassard, who has been brilliant this series. You would love to see more goals, but credit Holtby and the Washington D, as the Rangers did put on solid pressure in Game 6.
Power Play: Or lack thereof. It's time to get Richards off the point and go with Moore. I liked having Zucc and Brassard and Boyle together, and would use those three with Stepan and Moore at the points. I could see Callahan on, with Stepan at the point, but you have to get Moore on there. In addition, can we please stop with five forwards on the 5-on-3, it just doesn't work.
Officiating: I watched the game again along with several of the penalties, which I will cover below. For the Capitals, maybe the Ward penalty on Dorsett should have not been called, as it was weak, but the others were legitimate calls, as Washington was undisciplined. The good news for the Rangers about the penalties is that they did keep Ovechkin on the bench for the length of the man advantages.
Del Zotto-Perreault:
The hit was a bit late, Perrault had passed the puck around the boards and it was beat or two before MDZ hit him. I can see Washington being upset about the call, but it wasn't high, as Del Zotto's shoulder was down, which is likely why it wasn't called, but it looked like it was a stride or so and then he hit Perreault. In addition, the official was likely following the puck as he went around the boards after Perreault's pass, which is why he missed it, but I could have seen a call made.
Dorsett-Green:
I can understand Green being upset, given the way the play unfolded, but it did not look like it was an attempted slew foot. Dorsett tried to body Green, fell backwards and both his legs fly up, so it was not as if he went in with one leg up to try and slew foot him. Green thinks that Dorsett is trying to slew foot him, not realizing he was knocked off balance and both legs are up in the air. Green retaliates and is lucky he didn't get a double-minor for drawing blood, plus Ribeiro trips Dorsett as he is going to the bench and nothing is called. It was two players going for the puck, one gets knocked off balance, his legs do come dangerously up in the air, but it did not look as if there was an intent to slew foot him, but understandable that Green felt that way.
Tortorella: I know that it's the in-thing and cause celebre to bash Tortorella, even when the Rangers win. Statements like if it wasn't for him, they would score more goals, or have an easier time winning. While that may be true, has anyone thought that the team is best suited for this style of play, especially when they play as they did in the second period yesterday? Could it be that the execution was lacking in addition to them not having the conditioning and the personnel to utilize an aggressive, forechecking style of play? I am not saying he does not have his faults, all of which have been well documented and many that I wish he could and would change, but I think too much of the blame falls on him when they lose, and even when they win.
Blog Comments: I know each of you speak from the heart and are passionate about the Rangers. All I ask is that you respect each others opinions and each other. If you disagree, do it with respect. Each of us have a lot of knowledge and that sharing makes the site great, but when you tear each other down, it does no one any good.
In case you needed some more motivation for Game 7:
Hoosiers:
Miracle:
Game 7 - Rangers-Capitals - 2012
Well this is it. Game 7. Do or Die. For all the marbles. Win or go Home. As I said in the Game 6 blog, use any cliche you want because they all fit. If the Rangers play like they did Sunday, especially in the second period, they will win this game. All your love, heart, passion, effort, devotion should be on display for Game 7.
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