RANGERS END MULTIPLE STREAKS IN 5-0 DRUBBING OF PENGUINS
Game Review
November 11, 2014
"It wasn't pretty, it wasn't ugly; it was pretty ugly."- Howard Finkel on WWE's Legend's House
While it may not be the most original quote or even the right words to describe Tuesday night's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, one thing is for certain: the Penguins would like to have that game back.
The Rangers, after suffering an embarrassing loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night, bounced back with an absolutely beautiful game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning by a decisive shutout, 5-0. The team was fast, aggressive, in the right place at the right time. Their specialty teams were on point for the Blue Shirts and Henrik Lundqvist was "king" for a night.
Essentially, everything opposite of what the Pittsburgh Penguins were.
Rangers goals by Mats Zuccarello, Martin St. Louis, Kevin Klein, Derick Brassard, and Rick Nash showed their depth despite their significant injuries. Everyone on the team contributed and were dominate in leading Lundqvist to his third shutout of the season.
While one can blame whoever they want from the team in white tonight, let's face it; the New York Rangers played a near perfect game. Credit can not be taken away from them, nor will it be from this humbled Penguins' fan.
Positives:
Negatives:
"It wasn't pretty, it wasn't ugly; it was pretty ugly."- Howard Finkel on WWE's Legend's House
While it may not be the most original quote or even the right words to describe Tuesday night's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, one thing is for certain: the Penguins would like to have that game back.
The Rangers, after suffering an embarrassing loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night, bounced back with an absolutely beautiful game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning by a decisive shutout, 5-0. The team was fast, aggressive, in the right place at the right time. Their specialty teams were on point for the Blue Shirts and Henrik Lundqvist was "king" for a night.
Essentially, everything opposite of what the Pittsburgh Penguins were.
Rangers goals by Mats Zuccarello, Martin St. Louis, Kevin Klein, Derick Brassard, and Rick Nash showed their depth despite their significant injuries. Everyone on the team contributed and were dominate in leading Lundqvist to his third shutout of the season.
While one can blame whoever they want from the team in white tonight, let's face it; the New York Rangers played a near perfect game. Credit can not be taken away from them, nor will it be from this humbled Penguins' fan.
Positives:
- Beau Bennett. It was great to see Bennett make his return to the NHL, despite the horrendous loss. He registered one shot on goal and was physical with three hits in 9:35 of ice-time. The more he plays, the more we will see a polished, and, fingers crossed, fully healthy Beau Bennett for quite some time.
- Score. It could have been 6-0....
Negatives:
- Whole 60 Minutes. It seems like a cop out to say that, but the Penguins were defeated as soon as the puck dropped. The Rangers came out on a mission, continuously putting pressure on the Penguins and not allowing them to breathe in any zone.
- Special Teams. The Penguins went dry on the power play and gave up a shorthanded goal. Not keys to victory. They also had their 39 consecutive penalty kill streak come to an end by the Brassard rocket. Also not a way to earn a victory.
- Beau Bennett. While his presence was a good sight to see, I was not particularly a fan of the substitution over Zach Sill. Yes, Zach Sill has not registered a point all season and Bennett had five assists in two games rehabbing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but Sill was a part of a team that had won seven straight coming into Madison Square Garden. I'm a pure believer of ride what you have while it's hot and keep going until it cools down.
- Robert Bortuzzo/Christian Ehrhoff Combo. The duo had played well for three games, but tonight against the Rangers were awful, mirroring each other with a minus-3 rating. I don't know what combination could make Ehrhoff flourish, but it needs to be found soon. Do the Penguins bench the German free agent when Olli Maatta returns? That'll be an interesting story to follow down the road.
- The Top Line. While Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist were absolutely dominant against Buffalo on Saturday, it was the exact opposite story on Tuesday, combining for a minus-6 and only registering seven shots on net. Unacceptable play from the team's best line.
- Marc-Andre Fleury. While Fleury may not be to blame for all of the goals, blame has to be put on the man that lets the puck past him. Clearly not his best game, but that can be said about 19 other players who were dressed tonight. Fleury probably could have made the save on St. Louis and Brassard, but alas, the puck tickled the twine and so it is. While five goals, justified or not, got by Fleury, he must be better, especially if he plans to go in the Saturday rematch.