The Rangers bench boss chose to actually alter his forward complement in Game 4 after a wholesale lackluster Game 3 effort.
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And now their series against Montreal is even. “They’re going to come out hard again so we have to play the same way but with more effort and play good as a team”. “They wanted to compete, wanted to battle and wanted the puck on their sticks”. But, more so, they desperately needed themselves. “We’re just going to have to make the best of every opportunity we get at the other end”.
Artturi Lehkonen and Shea Weber scored power-play goals for Montreal and Carey Price stopped 20 shots. But with the Rangers desperate for offense, Vigneault could opt for talent over grit. But it’s just one game. “Some nights you get some breaks and some nights you don’t”.
New York Rangers’ Marc Staal, right, tries to block a shot by Montreal Canadiens’ Paul Byron during the first period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 16, 2017, in New York. The Rangers confused the Canadiens with their speed and induced a passivity in the Montreal defense corps not seen in Games 1-3, particularly with regard to organized zone exits.
While goals were scarce in New York’s 2-0 win in the series opener, there were three in the first period alone on Friday.
“After what happened in Montreal, you know for sure that the game is not over until it’s over”, Lundqvist said. Many Canadiens players can not credibly make the same claim on this night. We worked really hard and I felt we had a little more chances but in the end, it’s about finding a way to win. Canadiens goalie Carey Price has been fantastic in net, posting a.944 save percentage. In that the Canadiens forced the Rangers into playing a style of hockey that they are not built for.
A different third period from the Rangers proved to be the difference as instead of sitting back on a lead they continued to push for a third goal.
“It just goes with the play”, Radulov said. Over the first four games, the Rangers have 41 second period scoring chances (18 high danger).
“When I play my best game I’m keeping the puck, I’m holding onto it, I’m dragging them to me to take a play, and I’m not doing that right now”, Zibanejad said. “I think our execution needs to be much better if we expect to win”.
Whatever momentum the Habs built in the last half of the 1 period was utterly eviscerated by the second period, which was by far and away their worst period of the series. Zuccarello led the Rangers in assists this season, and his playmaking ability will certainly be needed if NY wants to even this series.
By hitting Grabner and taking himself out of the play, Oscar Lindberg easily recovered the puck from behind the net.
The Rangers’ returning players need to step up also.
As had been expected, Alain Vigneault made changes to the NY lineup, inserting Pavel Buchnevich and Nick Holden for Tanner Glass and Kevin Klein.
Tanner Glass, who scored in Game 1, and Kevin Klein were among the scratches. Pekka Rinne was brilliant in the 1-0 series opener.
On the bright side for the Penguins (and fans of former Canes players), Ron Hainsey scored a goal in the playoffs.
“We were trying to take what was given”, said Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh, who made a great play to keep the puck in the zone and set up Rick Nash’s game-winning goal early in the second period.
Torrey Mitchell earned the one goal for Montreal, with Alexander Radulov tallying his sixth point in the last three games, but it wasn’t enough to earn a third straight victory. Those combinations may not start Game 5 together, but the Canadiens need Pacioretty to get going in this series. “It’s a long series, it’s a best of [seven], you’ve got to wear guys down”.
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The trio combined for two goals, two assists and 15 shots on goal in the Game 2 victory, with Plekanec’s marker in the dying seconds of the third period forcing overtime.
