1-1

With the first game of the round being played in Pittsburgh for the first time, emotions and the stakes are at a high point.

The first game was a marathon, going all the way to a third overtime. The game was dominated by the Rangers in the first period where they took the lead. The Penguins then pulled it together while the Rangers pulled back, allowing the Penguins to shoot wherever and whenever they wanted, closing the lead. Rangers go back up by one and Crosby leads the way to tie it up. At the very end of the 3rd period, the Rangers game winning goal was waved off for goalie interference. Apparently, a valid goal that would have been allowed in the regular season is no good. That pushed the game into another 45 minutes of playtime in a nonstop game of inches. The Penguins managed a deflection to get by Igor to win. The goaltending was fantastic on both sides, but DeSmith got hurt in overtime and Louis Domingue came in to replace him. He stopped all 17 shots the Rangers sent his way.

The Rangers shook that loss off and hit the ice for game 2 on a mission. The basics held true: the Sidney Crosby line is incredibly dangerous and penalties have to be kept to a minimum to keep the best odds in the Rangers’ favor. The Penguins are much better at staying outside of the box so far. The Rangers can’t score a goal and let up, the Penguins always find a way to bounce back quickly which stops the momentum. The Penguins have been able to lock Panarin up better than the Rangers have held Crosby back.

With Jarry and DeSmith both out, the Rangers have a massive goaltending advantage. Domingue wasn’t able to hold back the Rangers for a full game. After a terrible turnover from Panarin to Crosby that turned into a goal, Panarin became laser-focused to make up for it. He ended the game with multiple assists and a goal that came 8 minutes into the 3rd period, giving the home team a two-point lead. Igor gave them that chance to stay ahead by blocking 9 consecutive shots at the start of the period. Soon after Panarin scored, Frank Vatrano made a dazzling shot to take a 3 goal lead.

The Penguins pulled their goalie with more than 5 minutes left and it didn’t work. Jeff Carter being a scumbag and intentionally running into Igor to hurt him also didn’t work. 5-2 Rangers.

Now game 3. Both teams aren’t at full strength. Lindgren and Goodrow were out for the Rangers, and Goodrow is not coming back anytime soon. Lindgren might, which will be fantastic to pair him back up with his long-time linemate Adam Fox.

It’s really important that the Rangers tighten up their play. Way too many turnovers are the biggest problem in my view. The Penguins can turn around so fast it often leads to breakaway chances. It’s too dangerous to rely on Igor to bail them out like that too many times. The Penguins love to shoot at any opening they see and the fewer that get on the net, the better. Can’t give them the room they need. The Rangers’ powerplay has been a huge advantage for them, pushing the Penguins’ PK % further down every game. They had a fantastic 86.4% PK in the regular season and in the last six games they’ve played (including the last 4 regulation games) something has happened to the point where huge holes have been ripped open in their efforts. If they weren’t so disciplined to stay out of the penalty box (and the refs treating Crosby with Tom Brady like favoritism) this series wouldn’t be close with the way it’s going. Reaves has had a fantastic series so far, cleanly laying out anyone who leaves themselves open and curbing any foolish ideas from players who may try something sketchy. There’s no one on the Penguins Reaves can’t handle.

Pittsburgh fans are going to throw all their energy at their team tonight and it’s going to be another huge test of will again. If the Rangers can keep playing better, it’ll be another win tonight for the first lead in the series. Every game in the playoffs matter. Another edge of your seat night starts soon!