Rangers finally win a Game Two, come home with 2-0 lead

Two games, two goals for Nash. (Photo by Francois Laplante/FreestylePhoto/Getty Images)

The streak has been snapped. Our long wait is over. The Rangers have finally won a Game Two after winning a Game One. It seems like the last time this happened was in 1927 (was more like 2007 or so), and the “streak” was really no more than sheer coincidence, but hey, they won. And the best part is that they are coming home with a 2-0 lead against a team whose house has been a house of horrors for so long. Sure, Dustin Tokarski isn’t Carey Price, but this was more about the Rangers again using speed and depth to torment the Habs.

Henrik Lundqvist was phenomenal again, stopping 40 of 41 shots that the Habs threw on him. The one goal he let up was more of a fluke, which now makes two fluke goals and a seven-man goal for the Habs. The big guns (Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, and Ryan McDonagh) all scored huge goals for the club, while Derek Stepan added a pair of assists. Another complete team win. Apologies in advance that there are no pictures for this goal breakdown, but it’s late and it’s been a long day.

On to the goals.

Habs 1, Rangers 0

Although this goal was flukey, it was a great shift by the Habs against the forward/defensive combination that is by far the worst five-some Alain Vigneault could throw out there. Even with Dominic Moore moving up to play with Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello, that line combined with Kevin Klein and John Moore were pinned in the defensive zone by the Habs’ top line for what seemed like forever. Eventually the puck wound up in Zucc’s skates in front, and Hank’s pokecheck went off Max Pacioretty and over the netminder for the goal.

Rangers 1, Habs 1

McDonagh forced a turnover at the defensive blue line, and chipped the puck to Dom Moore, who gained the offensive zone. Tomas Plekanec tried to backhand the puck out of the zone, but it was –again– picked off by McDonagh. McDonagh’s shot went off Josh Gorges in front and past Tokarski. A little bit of puck luck for both teams now.

Rangers 2, Habs 1

Stepan won a defensive face off clean, and then Marc Staal cleared the puck past Brian Gionta right to Chris Kreider. Kreider quickly worked the puck to Stepan for a 3-on-2 with Nash, then received the puck back from Stepan to gain the zone with Nash staying wide. P.K. Subban needs to mind Kreider’s speed, which means Gorges needs to watch both Stepan cutting to the net (more dangerous threat) and Nash wide. Kreider made a hard pass right on Nash’s tape, and he one-timed it past Tokarski from the top of the circle. I think Tokarski could have had this one, as it appeared to go off of him, but I’ll leave that final call to Justin.

Rangers 3, Habs 1

The Rangers caught a break with the refs whistled Alex Galchenyuk for a phantom tripping call, putting the newly-hot powerplay to work. What followed appeared to be a set play. McDonagh, Stepan, and Brad Richards played catch up high while Kreider rotated from the high slot to in front. MSL rotated up from the corner to the high slot to take Kreider’s spot. After that, it was Richards to McDonagh to Stepan to MSL who one-timed it over Tokarski, who didn’t even see the shot because of Kreider in front. A thing of beauty.

Fenwick Chart:

So ExtraSkater appeared to be broken while I was writing this, and again it’s late, so I’m not going to wait for it to be fixed, so here are the essentials:

• The Habs completely dominated the puck possession game, especially at 5v5 close (+/- 1 goal in the first and second, tied in the third). Considering the Rangers took a two-goal lead midway through the second, the Habs completely dominated the early going.
• Based off the point above (making an assumption here because the graph isn’t working), the Rangers didn’t necessarily “back off” after getting the two goal lead. They were trailing in puck possession regardless.
• This game was a stark contrast to Game One, in which the Rangers pretty much dominated all aspects of play.

The Rangers will come home with a two game lead, and have put a strangle hold on the Habs. With Price out, we mentioned it could be a short series, and it may head that way if Montreal can’t figure things out soon. One thing is for sure: The Rangers aren’t falling for the “intimidation” the Habs used on the Bruins to throw them off their game. This Ranger team is focused.