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Rangers lose second straight, series now tied at 2, Game 5 at MSG on Thurs |
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The shorthanded Rangers fell 4-1 to Tampa, who evened their best of seven series at two. New York, already without Ryan Strome, lost Filip Chilip late in the second period. The Blueshirts allowed goals in all three periods and did little to generate any form of a sustained attack throughout the contest. Game 5 will be at MSG at 8PM on Thursday.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Lineup: Strome, injured in Game 3, skated in warm ups but was unable to go. Kevin Rooney, a scratch since Tyler Motte returned, slid back into his fourth line center spot. Barclay Goodrow, questionable for the game after blocking a Victor Hedman shot in Game 3, dressed and moved up to the second line to replace Strome. He looked to be laboring and did little to help the team in the loss.
Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Goodrow-Copp
Lafrenière-Chytil-Kakko
Motte-Rooney-Reaves
Offensively, the Rangers were offensive. Tampa Bay once again limited the Rangers ability to gain momentum through the neutral zone. New York failed to adjust to what the Lightning did, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result. In addition, the Lightning forced the Blueshirts wide in the offensive zone, not allowing them much in high-danger zones.
2) In game-adjustments: Chytil was injured on the below play. On the face of it, not much. But Tampa has made a habit of uncalled cross-checks during the series and Chytil either hit the boards at a bad angle or suffered a lower-back injury. Post-game, coach Gerard Gallant said he was hopeful Chytil would play in Game 5, same with Strome.
Gallant shook up the lines during the second and third periods. Though some of the combinations left a lot to be desired and why Tyler Motte was not moved up is unclear. In addition, how the heck does the Kid Line get under four minutes of ice time in the first period and not much more in the second? That trio was the team's most effective and woefully underused before Chytil was injured.
3) Ondrej Palat, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov have killed the Rangers the last two games. Those three scored all of the Lightning's goals in Game 3 and had three of their four tallies in Game 4. Tampa's big three forwards with Brayden Point out answered the bell the past two games, far outshining their New York counterparts. Palat, especially, has raised his game, helping to carry the load while Point has been sidelined.
4) Igor Shesterkin played a fairly solid game. He was far from the reason why the team lost. The defense in front of him - forwards and blueliners - have been less than optimal. All the good work done in the first game and first 45-50 minutes of Game 2 has gone out the window. Mistakes, blown coverages and failed assignments have been on display throughout, including the first two goals allowed. The only blueliner who showed up tonight was Jacob Trouba, the rest, meh.
On the first goal, Zach Bogosian beat Ryan Reaves wide, then undressed Justin Brain and no one (kevin Rooney) picked up Pat Marron coming down the slot. On the second, Goodrow gave away the puck in the neutral zone and Andrew Copp failed to cover the middle of the ice, allowing Kucherov to steam in on a breakaway. You can argue that even on the third tally, poor defense was on display, as Stamkos was able to get open to back in the rebound.
5) If Strome and/or Chytil are sidelined, Gallant will have to make changes. Even if not, playing Ryan Reaves at this point does little. He lacks the foot speen, seen as he was beaten badly by Bogosian, leading to the first goal of the game. At this point, play Dryden Hunt or Jonny Brodzinski since at least they have the speed to keep up and create an effective fore- and backcheck.
Maybe Sammy Blais, who wore a contact jersey Tuesday am, gets in, though I don't think he is ready. Every day loinger the series goes, the more probable Point gets in the lineup. New York had a golden chance to take a 3-0 lead and they blew it. Give the Lightning credit, but the Rangers blew it.
6) Home ice - New York is 7-2 at home, with one loss coming in triple overtime, and 2-7 on the road. They win out at home this round and a berth in the SCF is theirs. This game felt eerily like Game 4 against Pittsburgh and Games 2 and 5 versus Carolina. The Rangers have played better when their backs have been to the wall. They didn't handle their first taste of early success in a series, maybe desperation coupled with the MSG crowd will be the motivation needed in Game 5.
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