Goal Line Report
Rangers Fail To Take Control for Third Straight Round
by Patrick Hoffman on 05/17/12 at 12:19 AM ET
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This is starting to become a familiar story for the New York Rangers in this postseason as the team finds themselves tied with their opponent after two games for the third straight round.
This opponent, the New Jersey Devils, went into Madison Square Garden and played a solid road game in earning a 3-2 victory to even up the series. The Devils got timely goal scoring, got another good game from their goaltender Martin Brodeur and did a good job of closing the door late in the third period to get the big victory.
For the Blueshirts, this was once again a game that they could have won. Rangers’ rookie Chris Kreider scored his fourth goal of the playoffs on a power play that gave the Rangers’ a 2-1 lead with just over 8 minutes left to go in the second period.
With the way Rangers’ netminder Henrik Lundqvist has been playing this postseason, one might think that would be enough to get the Rangers a victory and a 2-0 series lead. That did not happen as the Devils’ scored with just over two minutes to go in the second period to tie it (deflection by Ryan Carter) and a goal 2:31 in the third period (David Clarkson) to get a lead they would never relinquish.
While the Blueshirts did not play badly, the team certainly was not great. In fact, Rangers’ forward Marian Gaborik only picked-up 15:21 minutes of ice time and was actually seen on the bench for most of the third period.
Per team web site beat writer Jim Cerny, Blueshirts’ head coach John Tortorella would not speak to the media about Gaborik’s benching in the third period. When Gaborik was asked about it, he responded with:
“You’ll have to ask (Torts)”
Obviously, this will be something to ponder over the next few days as the team does not get back at it until Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center for Game 3. One thing Tortorella did tell reporters after the game was that he did not think the team brought the proper amount of effort into tonight’s tilt.
Come Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, the Rangers’ will have to bring their A game if they want to regain the lead in this Eastern Conference Finals.
Filed in: | Goal Line Report | Permalink
Tags: 2012+stanley+cup+playoffs,
chris+kreider,
david+clarkson,
henrik+lundqvist,
jim+cerny,
john+tortorella,
marian+gaborik,
martin+brodeur,
new+jersey+devils,
new+york+rangers,
ryan+carter
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About Goal Line Report
Patrick has a tremendous passion for hockey. Besides covering the Rangers and the NHL for Kukla's Korner, you can also find Patrick's work over at Sportsnet.ca, The Red Light District Hockey Blog, NHL Home Ice, and Liam Maguire's Ultimate Hockey web site.
Prior to writing for the above mentioned outlets, you could find Patrick's musings at hockey web sites/outlets such as TheHockeyNews.com, TheFourthPeriod.com, Spector's Hockey, Hokeja Vestnesis, Blueshirt Bulletin, SNYRangersBlog.com and many more.
For questions, comments and hip checks, feel free to e-mail Patrick at patrickhoffman3530@gmail.com.