The instant Alexander Semin rocketed a Marc Staal turnover past Henrik Lundqvist's blocker nearly 18 minutes into Overtime on Thursday night, the Rangers cut ties with the loss and began preparing for Game 2. You have to, really--the Playoffs are all about a short memory. The ability to rebound after tough losses has been a core strength for the Blueshirts throughout the season and resiliency to pessimism and extended periods of lazy play has forged their team identity and muscled them into the playoffs. But now what?
Obviously offense was a problem in Game 1 as the Rangers couldn't threaten with much danger and gain the 2-goal advantage after jumping out to the lead. In a tight playoff game against the #1 seed, you will need to steal a game or two on the road to win the series and with the chance presented to the Blueshirts they were unable to deliver. Critics of Marian Gaborik are ready to write off the snakebitten star, and even die hard supporters must cringe when he stuffs goal mouth opportunities into the goalie's stomach instead of showing his characteristic soft hands around the crease. I have faith in Gabby's ability to put together a big game, espcially this year as his inconsistent offense has come in spurts, and that may be exactly what the Rangers need to even up this series. It seems today he'll be back with Christensen on his line and the directive to the two of them is certainly: SHOOT.
Another aspect of the offense that is problematic concerns the amount of shots getting through. The Capitals clogged lanes on us and blocked 32 shots, leaving Neuvirth to save the scraps and though he was solid he wasn't exceptional. We need to test the young goalie's mettle and make him feel the intensity of our attack. Our young rookies played well in their first Playoff experience, Gilroy scored on the best shift we were able to put together, but there were some nerves to deal with as expected. Step and Zucc (if he's in the lineup. My gut opinion, he will be) need to dig their skates in and get inside to the tough areas as do the Rangers in general. Playoff games aren't won on the perimeter and the Rangers have to do whatever it takes to get inside.
Defensively I thought we played the game we wanted, but it wasn't enough. Staal and Girardi shut down Ovetchkin except for one shift where the Russian Bull showed his fortitude and jammed a puck past Lundqvist on the rush. Prior to that the Dynamic Duo had shut down Ovie, Semin and Backstrom the entire season--keeping the trio off the scoreboard. Lundqvist was for the most part brilliant but had help from the Post and his teammates clearing out dangerous rebounds in front. To take a 1-1 game with the Capitals into overtime I can't imagine the Rangers would argue with their defensive effort. It will need to be there all series.
The Rangers can gain some ground if they can get their Power-Play settled. It's clear to me that we can't put Washington up a man, but if we get the chance we need to take advantage. The momentum gained on a playoff kill can throw the home team over the top and in an already hostile building the Blueshirts can't give the Caps any edge.
We need to execute a great road game. We came close in game 1, but if the players have chosen to forget about it, the fans should too. Let's get inside, get grittier, and like the Knicks MSG commercial suggests "you don't just play, you play harder. You don't just work, you work harder."
Let's Go BLue!
No question game 1 is behind me and my focus is on whats on for tonight. I think the Rangers need to stick to the game plan, but this time establish the forecheck which will create offensive opportunities. We need to score one more goal than they do. So lets do it and Go Rangers!
ReplyDeleteI agree guys...all we can hope for is a better offensive game. we might not be the prettiest team when it comes to goals, but when we stick to our game plan and forcheck the hell out of other teams, we can throw them off their game and do some damage...lets go blue!
ReplyDeletei think we need to play smarter in our own end with turn overs. Cant panic and throw the puck directly to the point all the time. It kills our break out which in turn kills our offensive opportunitites coming into the zone. We need to shoot and crash the net. I love how we play a good cycle game and always work the perimeter but we need to come inside the way ovetchkin did. The best way to take advantage of a rookie goalie in the playoffs is to crowd the net, get in his face, score on deflections, make him nervous, ect. I think Avery should be in the lineup for this very reason. I dont question our work ethic at all, it is more about how can we score goals. I think the Rangers win tonight 3-1 with dubinsky tossing in an empty netter. Look for Avery to score if he plays, as well as Gabby getting on the board. Henrik is on, im pumped. Im will be getting a pre game work out in followed by cooking this monster steak I picked up from the butcher at Stew Leonards. Place is disney world for meat eaters
ReplyDelete