Of course, as the Rangers demonstrated in their seven-game first round win over the Capitals, in which they lost the first two games in Washington, this afternoon’s Game 2 against the Bruins is not a must win.
But to win, the ...
Of course, as the Rangers demonstrated in their seven-game first round win over the Capitals, in which they lost the first two games in Washington, this afternoon’s Game 2 against the Bruins is not a must win.
But to win, the Rangers must do certain things better, namely, as written ad infinitum since their 3-2 OT loss in Game 1, forecheck and figure out something with their power play.
And, their top line must be better, too.
Three Keys to Game 2:
1. Make it tougher: The Rangers’ forecheck was not effective in their 3-2 overtime loss in Game 1, meaning not only did the Bruins have a relatively easy time getting the puck out of their own zone, the Rangers were not able to wear the Bruins down physically. Worse, having a good forecheck had been a point of emphasis in Game 1 with the Bruins dressing three rookie defensemen.
2. Still waiting for the power play: The Rangers were 0 for 3 on the power play in Game 1, leaving them at 2 for 31 in the postseason. The Rangers generated just three shots on goal in 5:35 with the man advantage.
3. Limiting opportunities: It wasn’t just that the Bruins were able to take 16 shots on G Henrik Lundqvist in overtime, or 48 total in the game. The Bruins held puck possession enough to also have 29 attempts blocked and 16 miss the net, meaning they actually had 93 attempts. The Rangers had just 66, including 35 shots on goal.
Also, here’s a leftover quote from coach John Tortorella from his media session on Saturday when he was asked about the effect of the lockout on certain players.
“You look right through the league, the guys that did go and play, it certainly benefited them,” Tortorella said. “Some guys that didn’t go and play it hasn’t affected them at all. But some guys that didn’t go and play it has affected them. I think older players should have played. I think older players, even when it’s not a lockout need to do even more as far as conditioning as far as being on the ice. Some guys feel because they’re veteran and they’re up in age they need to rest. I’ve seen guys careers end quickly because they’re not doing enough. They need to be on the ice more, that’s the way I feel about it. People may not agree with it but I really believe that. I’ve seen a number of situations when I was an assistant coach when I was in Buffalo, not going to name the two players, they felt they needed to be off the ice more because they were older, where their career ended where they should have been on the ice practicing and conditioning more.”
Tortorella certainly also didn’t name anybody by name on the Rangers. But, and this is just me talking here, it certainly sounded like he could have been describing Brad Richards.
Both teams will maintain the same lineups they dressed in Game 1 as Bruins coach Claude Julien said before the game that defensemen Wade Redden and Dennis Seidenberg were not available.
Something maybe I only find interesting in pre-game line rushes but, all season, regardless of what line he’s actually skating on, Richards typically is given the courtesy of taking the first line rush. I’ll admit I’m not sure about Game 1, but, today, the lines went in order so Derek Stepan’s top line took the first rush.
Rangers lines/D-pairs:
Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Taylor Pyatt-Brian Boyle-Derek Dorsett
Chris Kreider-Brad Richards-Arron Asham
Ryan McDonagh-Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-Dan Girardi
John Moore-Steve Eminger
Henrik Lundqvist (4-4, 1.76 GAA)
Bruins lines/D-pairs:
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Jaromir Jagr
Rich Peverley-Chris Kelly-Tyler Seguin
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
Matt Bartkowski-Johnny Boychuk
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask (5-3, 2.36 GAA)
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