Rangers stars must carry Blueshirts in Game 7

Following their dramatic win in Game 6, the Rangers are back home to hopefully finish the comeback in Game 7. The big difference between Game 6 and the five previous games was that the Rangers stars showed up, with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider having an awakening and carrying the Rangers. The same, plus more, will need to happen if the Rangers are to win Game 7.

Rangers stars must answer the Penguins stars

The big difference in this series is that the Penguins stars, Sidney Crosby mostly, have put their team on their back and carried them. Crosby has taken over this series, and he has been the best skater on the ice for either team. Evgeni Malkin, while not as visible, does have an OT game winner. Jake Guentzel has 900 goals this series. These guys are doing what they need to.

Now the Penguins are getting Tristan Jarry back as well. He’s not a star, but he’s also not a third string goalie. That does mean something, even if it’s just a morale boost. Louis Domingue was a good story for them, but there are a lot of Rangers goals that a starting NHL goalie stops.

The Rangers stars, for the most part, haven’t been nearly as visible. This may simply be because the Penguins have crushed the Rangers in offensive zone time and chances for most of the series, and that’s a fair argument. But it’s no contest when you compare the big guns for both teams. The Penguins have been playing better.

It’s not just at even strength

The Rangers have had an elite powerplay most of the season, and it’s one of two reasons why they finished in second in the Metro Division. But in the playoffs, it hasn’t been nearly as successful. That’s to be expected, better competition and all, but the Rangers have had their fair share of chances. With all the Rangers stars on that top powerplay unit, it’s time they start rolling.

The Rangers stars, on the powerplay, need to deliver. They won’t get many true opportunities against a very good and energized Penguins team. Perhaps they can take advantage of what could be a small mental comfort with Jarry back in net. The Penguins are human, after all. But that’s unlikely to happen.

This also expands to the penalty kill. We focus on the skaters, but one of the Rangers stars has been sure fire Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin. He has been good this series, but he has not been Vezina winner caliber in net, nowhere near it. Domingue is a story, but he shouldn’t be the story. Shesterkin needs to step up and answer the call, at home, with a loud MSG behind him. He can win this game by himself.