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Game7: NYR 5 BOS 2, Nash/Pirri key comeback

October 27, 2016, 8:05 AM ET [164 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers rallied for the second straight game to pick up a win Wednesday against the Bruins. Sunday, New York allowed a goal 33 seconds into the game but came back to win 3-2 against Arizona. Wednesday, the Rangers went one better, surrendering a score 10 seconds into the contest and then another in the first before scoring three goals in the second and two in the third for a 5-2 victory.

David Pastrnak took advantage of a bad Nick Holden pass to steam past him and beat Henrik Lundqvist just 10 seconds into the game. Kevin Klein's giveaway ended up in the net when Austin Czarnik's shot was partially stopped by a moving, handcuffed Lundqvist but bounced off him into the net. Hank was partially screened by Brady Skjei, but that's a shot which has to be stopped. Other than those two plays, it was pretty much was all Rangers. There were a few bobbles in the latter part of the third but Lundqvist came up big when needed.

Down 2-0, Rick Nash and Brandon Pirri carried the Rangers back. On the power play, Nash initially was stoned by Zane McIntyre following a brilliant feed by Derek Stepan but stayed with it and just got enough to put the puck in the open side of the net. Good work in the offensive zone led to the second goal by Kevin Hayes, who banked the puck in off of McIntyre to tie the game. New York closed the period with the lead thanks to a Pirri howitzer with 35.4 seconds to go in the frame on the man advantage.

Part of the wake up call might have come due to Pastrnak's shoulder to chin hit on Dan Girardi 10:55 into the period. The good news is that G did not appear to suffer a concussion and was able to return to the game. Hopefully there won't be any after effects that pop up today or tomorrow. For all the hate Girardi has received, he has been pretty solid this season, reversing some of the decline from the past few years.

In the third, Pirri took advantage of the lively MSG boards to score his second of the game. A J.T. Miller shot missed the net but the carom came to a wide open Pirri at the opposite post and he had an easy tap-in. Just 43 seconds later Jimmy Vesey got on the board against his hometown team. Vesey had the easy part, putting the puck in the net. But Nash did all the hard work, carrying the puck from his own zone, ultimately making a brilliant backhand cross ice feed to the open Vesey for the tally.

The Pirri and Vesey signings have paid great dividends early on. Two solid moves by GM Jeff Gorton, each at low salaries. Vesey was always going to be signed to an ELC, so this was more a matter of fit and convincing Vesey this was the right spot. You know I was a major proponent of signing Pirri, loving his shot and ability to score, and glad so far I ave been proven correct in my view.

No Chris Kreider or Pavel Buchnevich, yet New York has won their last three in a row and are 5-2 on the year. As noted in my comments to my blog, chill when it comes to jumping off the ledge when they trail, especially early on. The two games they lost - St. Louis and Detroit - the Rangers outplayed each opponent, so give them a chance to rebound before coming off the bandwagon.

With either CK20 or Buchnevich - likely just Buch - ready to return Friday, a roster decision loomed. But as we have seen too often in sports, these situations have a way of working themselves out. In this case, unfortunately Josh Jooris may have suffered a separated left shoulder on a Today Krug and may be sidelined for a while. Jooris will probably end up on IR, freeing up a spot and delaying that roster decision. Jooris was on the bubble along with Dylan McIlrath, but now McI gets a stay of execution with Jorris sidelined.

I would play Antti Raanta against Carolina on Friday. Once CK20 is back, look for him to get a shot with Zib and Zucc. Whatever AV decides, leave Vesey-Stepan-Nash together, as that trio has chemistry. For all the Grabner hate by some on this site, I am fine with him and Fast on the fourth line, especially when CK20 and/or Buch are back. Miller has picked up his game lately, showing signs of what we saw from him a year ago.
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