Turris' OT winner puts Rangers on the brink

Credit: AP / Adrian Wyld

The Rangers tried to cling to a late lead in the third period, having taken a 4-3 lead with 10 minutes remaining. However Alain Vigneault continues to bench Brady Skjei and lean on guys who have cost him games in the past, and it burned him yet again. The tying goal in the third was very flukey (off three Rangers), but at some point someone needs to legitimately question why Skjei rides the pine with a late lead. It may not be a direct cause of this outcome, but it’s certainly something that needs to be looked at, especially with the awful game Marc Staal had.

That said, Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t god-like in this game. He made a bad turnover that wound up in the net, and then the OT winner looked a little soft. But then again, the Senators had a pair of flukey goals. One off a post and one off three Rangers. So, I don’t really know. The Rangers aren’t getting any bounces this series. JT Miller also hit the crossbar in overtime. Regardless, there is no reason to be benching one of the top three defensemen with a lead to protect.

On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Sens 0

Kevin Hayes forced the neutral zone turnover and got the puck to Brendan Smith for a 3-on-1 with a back checker coming. Michael Grabner cut to the net, and Jesper Fast had two steps on the back checker. Smith’s pass to Fast was beautiful, and Fast had an empty net.

Rangers 2, Sens 0

Jimmy Vesey forced a neutral zone turnover, and got the puck to Nick Holden. What a shot.

Rangers 2, Sens 1

Henrik Lundqvist made a bad turnover behind the net, which led to a point shot by Chris Wideman. Mark Stone had body position on Oscar Lindberg in front, and got two whacks at it. Even then, needed a fortunate bounce off the post.

Sens 2, Rangers 2

Rick Nash turned the puck over in the offensive zone, which led to Erik Karlsson starting the breakout. Karlsson drew a lot of attention before dropping the puck to Clarke MacArthur. MaArthur found Mike Hoffman all alone at the back door. Jimmy Vesey should have picked up Hoffman, not MacArthur.

Sens 3, Rangers 2

Zack Smith threw the puck in front, where Tom Pyatt got a stick on it and deflected the puck through Hank’s legs. It looked like Hank couldn’t see it based on his right pad kicking out. Brady Skjei may have screened him.

Rangers 3, Sens 3

The Rangers had a very long shift in the offensive zone with good sustained pressure. Eventually Dan Girardi’s shot from the point would hit a body. Michael Grabner found the puck and threw it at the net, where Ryan McDonagh got a piece to tie it. A lot of credit to Kevin Hayes for his puck control this shift.

Rangers 4, Sens 3

Anderson left a rebound on a bad angle shot by Brady Skjei. Jimmy Vesey, who had a hell of a game, dove in front and whacked at it. Anderson looked like he made the stop, but the puck crossed the goal line first.

Sens 4, Rangers 4

With the Sens on a 6-on-5, Hank made the initial stop on MacArthur. The rebound was in the air and whacked at by Derick Brassard. The puck went off Staal, Glass, and Brendan Smith before barely crossing the line.

Sens 5, Rangers 4