Rangers Recap: Breathe Carolina

As far as playoff performances go for a full team effort, that was just about the best playoff game the Rangers have played probably since Game Six of the ECF in 2014. While you never want to go down 2-0 in a series, the Rangers have responded masterfully by crawling back into the series and giving themselves a chance to get a big road win and go back home for Game 6. Long way to go, and not to get too ahead, but could you imagine the goaltending duel of Vasilevsky and Shesterkin? It would in theory be the anti-Battle of Alberta.

So once again, there is discourse around a hit thrown by Jacob Trouba. His victim: The infamous Max Domi.

Domi had the puck, was losing an edge, and Trouba caught him on the shoulder but rode up to the head. If Domi is on his feet, it’s a clean hit. But Domi is falling down a half second before contact. Now please, can we stop calling Trouba a predator? Glad the refs also got the instigator call correctly and we scored on the ensuing power play. Start fights after clean hits, pay the price.

If the last two games weren’t indication enough, the Rangers have had an incredible balanced depth attack. Your big boys contributed in this game in Zibanejad and Adam Fox, but you also got key goals from Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp, who definitely both could have used the kind of offensive nights they each put up. Vatrano with a goal and an assist, and Copp with a goal, two assists, and named 1st star of the game. What did each of those players cost at the deadline again?

Absolute insane to look back at now and how they have fit in in their particular roles. Now you have some momentum and some confidence in the top six as you are about to leave on the road to potentially take the series lead. Hopefully the job gets done.

If Igor’s brilliance wasn’t more obvious, he’s riding with a series save percentage above 95% and only 5 goals given up. At the risk of getting ahead of myself again, if this team makes a serious run, he’s my favorite for Conn Smythe. There’s no question he’s been the MVP for the team through 11 playoff games. Despite getting pulled twice in Pittsburgh, he’s rocking a .921 save percentage. To say we are spoiled is the greatest understatement in sports. How this guy got to the Rangers in his draft year is just nuts.

Are we having fun yet folks?