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Game 43: NYR 5 PIT 2, Quick Goal By Nash Sparks Rangers to Win |
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The Rangers entered Sunday's contest against the Penguins having lost two of their last three games, including back-to-back games. The win Friday against Columbus was ugly, so today was a type of step-up game. Well, New York stepped up and then some, jumping out to a lead 26 seconds in and carrying play throughout in a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh.
The difference Sunday compared to the last three contests was that New York (26-13-4) was able to use their speed to create chances. When they got those opportunities, they converted. Not all was perfect, but the Blueshirts did way more than enough to go 3-0-1 in the season series against Pittsburgh.
The Rangers got started early on, as a pass from Brandon Sutter got through Kris Letang at the point and bounced off the boards into the neutral zone. Rick Nash picked up and came down on a 2-on-1 with Mats Zuccarello. He kept the puck and beat Marc-Andre Fleury short-side with Paul Martin chasing. Less than six minutes later, Derick Brassard took advantage of an odd-bounce off the boards after a Kevin Klein shot, finding the puck in the slot and beating Fleury. Pitt got back in the game off a beautiful feed from David Perron to Sidney Crosby, who got inside position on Ryan McDonagh and was able to gather the puck with his skate and beat Henrik Lundqvist.
Pitt entered the second with some life, but Nash did his best to squash it aided by a lot of luck. A clean win on the draw by Brassard, similar to that on the goal he scored, gave NY puck possession. The puck came to Nash and while backing up he shot it on net, where it deflected off Rob Scuderi, who was engaged with Mats Zuccarello in front and it went past MAF. Give Zucc credit for going to hard to the net, which helped lead to the goal that at the time made Nash the top goal-scorer in the NHL but Tyler sequin got his 28th in the first period later in the day.
That wasn't it for the second period. Good hard work to retain the puck by New York. Chris Kreider got the puck to Martin St. Louis, who drew the D towards him and found Derek Stepan at the top of the circle. Kreider set a beautiful screen, Fleury never saw the puck and was beaten by a hard wrist shot by Stepan. Shots like that are why we keep harping on Stepan to shoot the puck.
New York entered the third in control, but 4:16 in that confidence was shaken a bit. Perron split Dan Girardi and McDonagh and his soft shot beat Lundqvist five-hole. Horrible D by G and McD but also a great move by Perron. Stepan added the clincher later in the frame. A turnover at center ice by Evgeni Malkin gave the Rangers a 3-on-2. Stepan gained the zone and got the puck over to MSL, who was checked by Malkin. Kris Letang tried to clear it falling down, but put the puck on Stepan's stick and he beat Thomas Greiss short-side high.
It wasn't a perfect game, as New York took three straight penalties in the first and allowed Pitt to control the third period. The good news is that the Rangers won 32 of 62 draws, including several in the offensive zone that directly led to two goals. They head into Tuesday's contest against Ottawa just two points behind Pitt with a game in hand. In addition, they are in third in the Metro, tied with Wash. but with two games in hand. Last, they are now five points behind the Isles for first in the division with two games in hand.
During the game, the deal with Marc Staal became official. The contract is a six-year deal worth $34.2 million - a $5.7 million annual salary cap hit - that includes a no-trade clause for the first three seasons and a limited no-trade clause, plus a no-movement clause in the final three seasons. We have discussed the pros and cons of this deal for a while, so not about to rehash it again. If you like it, great and you won't be swayed, if not, nothing anyone will say will change your mind.
What the contract does mean is that the top-four in the Rangers D is set through at least 2017-18, as McDonagh ('18-19), Girardi ('19-20) and Klein ('17-18) are all under contract through then. Staal is signed through 2020-21 while Dan Boyle is signed for next year. The sixth d-spot could go to Brady Skjei or possibly a free agency signee or trade acquisition, unless NY opts to after the season deal Klein, whose value is at it's highest, though that is unlikely. Oh and by the way, Lundqvist is locked up through 20-21.
A solid road win and now two victories in a row. Now, beat Ottawa and head into the All-Star break on a roll.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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