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Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty

Last night, the Rangers made us ride a wild range of emotions. The Blueshirts opened the game with by spotting the Pens a 2-0 lead, something they seem to do regularly. Then they toyed with us, scoring three straight to take the lead. It was a tremendous back and forth effort that ended with the Rangers taking a 4-3 lead into the final minute.

They a poor decision in their own end led to an odd Sidney Crosby goal from behind the goal line, something Henrik Lundqvist surely wants back. And then it was the worst play I’ve ever seen Ryan McDonagh make that gave the Penguins two points instead of none. The Rangers one point instead of two. They got a point (hooray), but didn’t instill any confidence (boo).

On to the goals:

Pens 1, Rangers 0

Phil Kessel can really shoot. Hank stood no chance here. It started with a turnover by Ryan McDonagh, and it was turned into a wide open chance for him. Kessel doesn’t miss those.

Pens 2, Rangers 0

Brendan Smith got caught deep, which turned into a 2-on-1 the other way. There was a very lazy back by pretty much everyone, as no one saw Carl Hagelin get behind them. One little flip out of the zone, and it was in the net. Terrible recognition on all accounts. On a frustrating note, see how Hank played that? Like he was caught between the pass and the shot. That’s what Justin was talking about regarding Hank. He’s getting caught between options because he doesn’t trust his defense to do what they are supposed to do (take away the pass). Even on a weak shooter like Hagelin, a goalie hedging his bets is a goalie that gets beat.

From now until overtime, I was out. So I’m using Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) as a proxy for gifs and breakdowns here.

Pens 2, Rangers 1

https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/920446385702490112

This was some good passing for the zone exit/entry, but the shot by David Desharnais looks like a shot Matt Murray should have stopped. I’ll take it.

Pens 2, Rangers 2

The Rangers forced a turnover along the boards while on the powerplayand turned it into a mini odd man rush with Pavel Buchnevich at the high slot in a position to shoot. Mika Zibanejad made a great pass and Buch ripped it to tie the game.

Rangers 3, Pens 2

Another powerplay goal. Looks like Murray was screened on the JT Miller shot from the point.

Pens 3, Rangers 3

Kessel’s centering pass looked to bank off a defender and into the net.

Rangers 4, Pens 3

I can watch this passing play over and over again. Pretty.

Pens 4, Rangers 4

I honestly don’t know how this went in. But shame on Kevin Shattenkirk for touching the puck after the hand pass. Brain fart at its worst.

Pens 5, Rangers 4

McDonagh channeling his inner Dan Girardi. Yuck.

No corsi/scoring chance charts tonight. I only watched the first and the overtime, so I wouldn’t be able to do it justice.

I realized something last night. I watched the first period, and the Rangers were down 2-0. I went out to dinner, and the Rangers took a 4-3 lead. I came home, and the Pens tied it in the last minute then won it in overtime. This, along with my tweets that seem to age poorly regarding this team, has lead me to believe I am bad luck for this team this month. It’s either gifs/recaps or wins. You guys get to choose.

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