The New York Rangers are optimistic they will have their franchise player back for a rally against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Evgeni Malkin made an unexpected Game 2 return and was a noticeable presence early on, though less so as the game wore on.
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As well as Jeff Zatkoff played in Game 1, the Penguins would like to return to Marc-Andre Fleury in net as soon as possible.
They can now feel better about their chances, as Lundqvist was cleared to start in net for the Rangers in Game 2 this afternoon.
Sullivan called him a “player that can change a whole game single-handedly”, which hey, isn’t too shabby of a compliment.
“There’s no doubt today that as a group we needed to respond and play better than we did last game, and I thought we did that”, stated Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault to BlueshirtsUnited.com. “Obviously I would’ve liked to make a couple more saves for sure, at least one more to keep it a one-goal game”.
Lundqvist is an incredible security blanket for the Rangers, especially when you get into the playoffs and the games constantly ebb and flow based on the outcome of each important moment. NY is 6-2 since the start of the 2014 playoffs in the game immediately following a loss.
In his second day of full on practice with his teammates since suffering what is believed to be a shoulder injury March 11, Malkin skated with Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust, who also has been injured.
In a playoff series featuring the NHL’s two winningest goaltenders of the last decade, one that has spent more time in the AHL over the last two seasons might be the difference.
Derick Brassard scored one goal and assisted on two others and J.T. Miller set up three goals as the New York Rangers posted a potentially pivotal 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Zatkoff’s counterpart Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves and stopped all 26 shots that were made even strength in his 113th career playoff game with the Rangers. And Eric Staal’s offensive zone turnover on a Hornqvist poke-check led to Kessel’s first goal.
Nicklas Backstrom scored once and had two assists for the Capitals, who also received goals from Alex Ovechkin (oh-VEHCH’-kihn), John Carlson and Jason Chimera (chih-MEHr’-uh). He has four points in two games in the series, but he’s due for improved postseason production.
Game 3 is Tuesday in NY.
The Rangers extended their lead to three at 4-1 with another quick strike 39 seconds into the third, this time from Chris Kreider, who took advantage of a Trevor Daley giveaway just outside the Penguins crease.
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Henrik Lundqvist’s black and blue right eye from Wednesday night’s Game 1 defeat was just a flesh wound. The Rangers played sound defense throughout the third period to close out the game.
