First Marc-Andre Fleury got hurt, then standout rookie Matt Murray’s injury put Jeff Zatkoff in net for the first two games of this series, seemingly giving the edge to the New York Rangers.
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Drouin’s third assist set up Ondrej Palat for the game-winning goal with 2:59 left in the third period, lifting the Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night and a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
Nikita Kucherov had power-play goals in the first and second period to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead late in the second, but Detroit’s Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist scored late in the period to tie the game.
Just ask the Pittsburgh Penguins, who found themselves being mocked by members of the New York Jets during Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over the host Rangers – specifically, centre Nick Mangold. He is one game away from tying Ron Greschner for fifth place and two games away from tying Don Maloney for fourth place on the Rangers’ all-time playoff games played list. That goal took some of the sting out of a shorthanded goal the Penguins had given to New York’s Rick Nash 39 seconds into the period.
Rangers’ center Derek Stepan cited the team’s lack of simplicity through the neutral zone following Game 3, “It’s got to be a real simple play, it’s got to be the red line and chip it in and go get it”.
While on the subject of “weird plays”, that’s how you could describe the one leading to Cullen’s game victor at 4:16 of the third that snapped a 1-1 tie.
Jaden Schwartz scored a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period for the second consecutive game as St. Louis moved to the brink of its first appearance in the Western Conference semifinals since 2012.
Ultimately Pittsburgh’s stifling defense and the Rangers’ dearth of scoring chances put them in a 2-1 series hole, creating added pressure for Thursday’s game to avoid a potential elimination game on the road on Saturday.
“At this point, I would say I’m doubtful, but stranger things have happened before”, said Vigneault, who was told that McDonagh felt better after a skate on Sunday’s off day and was cleared to practice by the team’s medical staff.
But Sullivan was unhappy with Malkin’s performance in Game 3 even if the coach wouldn’t admit it.
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said it was the right call.
“The nerves were definitely going at the start of the game”.
“Everyone in here wishes the game were (Wednesday) and we can get back out there and play”, defenseman Keith Yandle said. And it gave them control of the series.
The Penguins scored two more times on the man advantage. Murray made his National Hockey League post season debut in the Game 3 win over the Rangers. I got hit, and I went off balance and I was leaning forward.
He got help offensively as the Penguins outshot the Rangers 31-17.
The Rangers seem to have a slim chance at getting captain Ryan McDonagh on the ice for Game 3.
With the four points tonight, he now has six points in Pittsburgh’s best-of-seven series against the Rangers. Lundqvist has stopped 60 of 62 shots he has faced at even strength through the first three games of the playoffs.
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Game 4 will be played tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.
