Rangers Can't Hang On As Habs Knot Series In OT

There’s a big difference between losing a game & letting one slip away. Tonight was the latter. For a majority of regulation, the Rangers played great. They created all three of their goals with their skill and were much more physically aggressive than Game 1. Meanwhile, the Habs simply lingered around due to a little bit of fortune. First, Lundqvist stick breaks & his team doesn’t get him a whistle despite having possession of the puck – ends up coming back to find twine. The second goal was a typical defensive gaffe I’ve seen far too much. There’s no reason for both defenders AND a forward to dip below the goal line – that gave Montreal their second lead of the night with a free shot in the slot.

Then, the equalizer with less than 17 ticks left. The Canadiens were dominating the puck but Hank & the Blueshirts were up to the task. At least until Grabner couldn’t clear the zone despite ample opportunity. A few seconds later, with Nick Holden inexplicably on the ice to protect a lead late, he breaks his own stick with a slash. OK, no problem yet – just bear hug the guy in front. Throw a rear-naked choke on him. Know the situation & take the minor. Just DO NOT allow him the opportunity to use his stick at the top of the crease. Nope. Holden just stood there & gave Plekanec a love shove as he redirected in the equalizer. He and Staal were on the ice for all 3 regulation goals against.

NY withstood a Habs push for the first half of OT before getting some chances of their own. Price & Hank exchanged quality saves until a killer neutral zone turnover by Nash had the Rangers scrambling to defend. Zibanejad, obviously not a defenseman, was out-muscled by Radulov in front & the Bell Centre exploded.

Overall though, it was a phenomenal game to watch. Both teams battled & although I do think Montreal benefited from Rangers mistakes, they still generated plenty of opportunities on their own. Lundqvist was outstanding. A career-high 54 saves in a game he did everything he could to win. Brendan Smith was an animal out there as well. He was all over the ice. Tagged Shaw on the side of the dome, defended great, set up Zucc’s goal to give his squad a 3-2 lead – just an unreal game on all fronts for #42. Silver lining doesn’t win series though & instead of a stranglehold, these teams are even heading to MSG for Easter Sunday.

FUCK.