Unnecessary storylines are taking away from what should be a fun series. The Rangers got down big in the first, giving up four “goals” in the first period after some questionable officiating and calls. They then made it a game in the second as they stormed back to tie the game. Then the officials finally stopped being a story, and let the teams play. The Penguins won the third period and Game 3.
This could be a fantastic series. Both teams are playing open hockey. Both teams have made this fun, exciting hockey. But you cannot ignore what the officials have done to this series. You can argue subjective calls, but you cannot argue that if the refs are a story, then they’ve done too much and gone too far. The refs are a story. And that’s a problem.
The refs are not the reason why the Rangers lost Game 1 or Game 3. So erase that from your vocabulary. But the officiating in this series has been atrocious, and the refs have, at the very least, allowed themselves to be part of the narrative. They need to let both teams play. When Islanders fans are wondering what is going on, then you know it’s a problem.
Penguins 1, Rangers 0
The net got dislodged, but it’s a goal. No explanation was given. Call on the ice was no goal, but it was reversed by Toronto. The reason given was that Patrik Nemeth, who is at fault here, dislodged the net, thus it’s a goal. Make of that what you will.
Rangers 1, Penguins 1
The Rangers were able to get a halfway decent breakout, which led to Alexis Lafreniere gaining the zone and throwing a nice cross ice backhand pass to Kaapo Kakko. This is where the third stringer in net is obvious, as this is something Domingue should have stopped.
Penguins 2, Rangers 1
A weak call against Justin Braun, shocker, and the Penguins capitalized. Jeff Carter is tough to move in front. Evan Rodrigues’ shot was deflected by Carter and stopped, but in closing his pads, Shesterkin kicked the puck in. Two illegitimate goals.
Penguins 3, Rangers 1
Another powerplay, this one an actual penalty this time, and then Rodrigues gets his own rebound off the live bounce off the boards. Oh hey, an actual goal this time.
Penguins 4, Rangers 1
Braden Schneider forced into a turnover, and that’s an actual goal.
Penguins 4, Rangers 2
Another good breakout by the Rangers, and again the Rangers make Domingue move. This pass from Chris Kreider to Frank Vatrano shouldn’t happen though, That’s not the best entry defense by the Penguins, but a good finish by Vatrano.
Penguins 4, Rangers 3
The Rangers really pressed on this shift and got a bunch of quality chances. There was nothing inherently wrong with how the Penguins defended here, but they could never get full control. Eventually Artemiy Panarin was left with way too much space to shoot, a product of the Penguins running around, and he doesn’t miss.
Rangers 4, Penguins 4
Kevin Rooney with the takeaway. Rooney with the chance. Andrew Copp with the finish.
Penguins 5, Rangers 4
This cannot go in. Alex Georgiev had done so much until this point, making a bunch of saves he probably shouldn’t have made.
Penguins 6, Rangers 4
Jake Guentzel empty netter.
Penguins 7, Rangers 4
Carter empty netter.
This could have been an amazing series. Both teams are skating in track meets. But the refs are inserting themselves into the series. No matter how this series goes, that will be a story. This is an embarrassment. Let the teams play.
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