The “Second Period Only” review of last night’s game

At the time of writing this post, the score is 2-1, Rangers trailing by one goal heading into the third period. I honestly couldn’t watch the first or third periods, thus is life sometimes. I guess these are good games to miss, since they are relatively meaningless. Here are some random thoughts from that period.

• Good to see Dylan McIlrath playing. Forgot he existed.
• Oh hey, he looks comfortable on the right side. Let’s play him more. Please?
• Oh hey, Oscar Lindberg is still a scratch. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
• And Tanner Glass got a game misconduct. Didn’t see the play. Interference apparently, but the Rangers killed it off. Not a good penalty –a five minute major for interference is never a good penalty– but a solid kill.

• But the kill was perfect in the period, for a few penalties, and the powerplay looked good too. Special teams have been killing the Rangers all year, and it’s nice to see them rounding into form come playoff time.
• Keith Yandle was on the top pair. At least it wasn’t Marc Staal. Didn’t see much of Brady Skjei, heard his name once though. Probably because the period was mostly special teams. Nothing but love, Alain.
• Speaking of Staal, looked good in the minimal time I saw him. Three straight games. Maybe he’s finally figuring it out?
• Henrik Lundqvist made two great saves on the kill late in the period, diving across the crease. Had Tampa Bay buried it, would we be talking about how good the special teams looked? Food for thought.
• Jagr has the most points against the Bolts. Assuming he has the most points against all teams at this point. Fear the mullet.
• Good screen by Chris Kreider on the Derek Stepan goal. Kreider and Stepan are very iffy on the powerplay. Kreider’s screens are hit or miss, and Stepan tends to hold on to the puck a bit too long. On this goal, they both got it right.
• I think Mats Zuccarello played the final six minutes of that period straight through. Seriously, I don’t think he changed.
• This offense can be so good. I just think of the forwards they roll. Five 20-goal scorers, six if Rick Nash isn’t hurt, likely seven if Eric Staal is there for the full year. Few have that depth. It’s why they stand a chance in the playoffs.

Ok, that’s it for this write up. Sorry for the short bullets, but Becky/Pat couldn’t cover. Chris is five hours ahead of us. Kevin is away. Suit was getting pressed. Sorry. Good thing these games are meaningless.