R2, G2: Rangers No-Show

In playoff hockey, the team that leaves it all on the ice is the one who prevails. Simply said, the Rangers have yet to do it. They didn't even seem to break a sweat until late in the third period, when the urgency factor kicked in. And that is just not good enough. They limp home down 2-0 after losing Game 2 2-0. They tried to adapt their style of play to the way the Pens play and it didn't work.

A quick note before I get into the other ranting: the Rangers should be able to face the Penguins without Hal Gill for Game 3 after he threw his gloves down to go after Sean Avery at the end of the game.

NHL Rule 56: Fisticuffs

An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season.

(NEW for 2005-06) A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major for fighting, a ten minute misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension.

It's that simple, in black and white. The league has to call it. Ok, onto the other stuff:

*NBC set a bad standard from the start. First, they open the coverage with the game call from Game 1 - which incorrectly attributed the game-winning goal to Cindy - and then, minutes later, Eddie O (the former Pittsburgh coach) says outright that Cindy is not a diver. Ok, so the table is tilted towards the crybaby at the top. At least the other former Pittsburgh employee, Pierre McGuire picked his spots throughout the game. So much for objective journalism.

*Just as you had to know NBC would fellate Crosby and the Pens, the officials were going to weigh in and help out. A ridiculously quick whistle by Dan O'Halloran with the puck sliding into the net late in the third period cost the Blueshirts the equalizer. At least Gary Bettman can go to sleep tonight knowing his money-maker is in prime position to advance to the next round.

*The Rangers actually tested Marc-Andre Fleury once in the first two periods (when Callahan found Drury in the first). That just isn't enough; the Pens netminder is young and not very good - why the Rangers don't go hard at him the way they went at Marty Brodeur is beyond me. He got himself a shutout by making maybe two good stops, and that is all that he needed to do.

*Ain't that something? Marc Staal makes a terrible play on the penalty kill, losing the puck in the corner, and his younger brother capitalizes to give Pittsburgh the first goal of the game. Now I don't have any siblings, but I would think that will hurt for a long, long, long time.

*It took 14 minutes for Cindy to fall to the ice convincingly. I won't say she dived, but he leaned back and put all of his body weight on Toots so when the Ranger defenseman tried to turn away, Cindy hit the deck and earned a penalty. Eddie O can call it 'gamesmanship' all he wants but its still not right. A few minutes later Jagr was unceremoniously dumped to the ice by Hal Gill and Frankenstein wasn't shown the box. How soon until the NHL turns into the Italian Serie A soccer league with every player going down like he was molested the second contact is made? Personally, I give it another season or two but it certainly won't be long with the officiating being how it is.

*What a nice dig by Mike Richter during the second intermission. Talking to Pierre McGuirre and Mike Milbury, Richter was asked about '94 and he turned to Milbury and said 'you know what its like, its a marathon.' Well, Milbury does but he never won a ring! Slimey Bahston bastard.

*Someone put together a search team and find Brendan Shanahan.

*Why does Tom Renney call his time out after the Penguins put the game out of reach?

*Also on Renney, hopefully this Petr Prucha experiment was a one-game thing. The fourth line was pretty much useless in the game. Prucha was his usual punching bag self and couldn't get anything going offensively. Ryan Hollweg played well in the first round, its time to get him back in the lineup.

*The Rangers need to work on their shot selection. They had 22 shots blocked which only reinforced my earlier comment that they weren't getting themselves into good scoring positions.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Henrik Lundqvist - 30 saves.
2-Jordan Staal - game-winning goal.
1-Marc-Andre Fleury - 26 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Hank - The Blueshirts blueline was porous yet again and he stood tall to keep his team in the game.
2-Jaromir Jagr - Regular readers know that Jagr doesn't make this list often for good reason. In this game he played like he cared, like he wanted the puck, like he was the captain of the team.
1-Jordan Staal - He was solid killing penalties and scored the game-winner.

 R2, G2: Rangers No-Show - Exploring the Challenges of Playoff Hockey

In the world of professional hockey, playoff series often serve as a litmus test for a team's resilience and determination. The New York Rangers' recent performance in Game 2 of their second-round series against a formidable opponent showcased the challenges and complexities of playoff hockey. In this article, we will dissect the Rangers' Game 2 no-show and explore the factors that contributed to this disappointing performance.

FAQ 1: What Happened in Game 2 of the Rangers' Playoff Series?

In Game 2 of the playoff series, the New York Rangers delivered a lackluster performance against their opponent. They struggled to generate offense, had defensive breakdowns, and ultimately suffered a 4-0 defeat.

Playoff Pressure: A Different Beast

Playoff hockey is a unique and intensified version of the sport. The pressure to perform at a high level is immense, and every mistake can be magnified. This added pressure can sometimes lead to tentative play, as players are acutely aware of the stakes.

FAQ 2: How Does Playoff Pressure Impact Player Performance?

The pressure of playoff hockey can affect players differently. Some thrive under the pressure, while others may struggle with the weight of expectations. Coaches often play a crucial role in managing players' mental states and helping them stay focused.

Facing a Formidable Opponent

In the playoffs, teams often face off against opponents who are equally skilled and determined to win. The Rangers' opponent in Game 2 was a formidable team known for its strong defensive play and potent offense.

FAQ 3: How Do Teams Prepare to Face Tough Playoff Opponents?

Teams prepare for tough opponents by studying their strengths and weaknesses, devising strategies to counter them, and emphasizing teamwork and discipline. A strong defensive game plan can be particularly crucial.

The Importance of Depth and Contribution

In the playoffs, depth becomes paramount. Teams cannot rely solely on their star players to carry the load; they need contributions from throughout the lineup. In Game 2, the Rangers struggled to get their offense going, highlighting the need for balanced scoring.

FAQ 4: How Can Teams Ensure Balanced Scoring in the Playoffs?

Coaches must encourage secondary scoring by providing opportunities to players lower in the lineup. This can involve line adjustments and power play time for players who may not be the team's top scorers.

The Role of Goaltending

Goaltending is often a deciding factor in playoff series. A hot goaltender can carry a team deep into the playoffs, while shaky goaltending can lead to early exits. In Game 2, the Rangers faced a goaltender who made crucial saves at key moments.

FAQ 5: What Can Teams Do to Counter a Hot Goaltender?

Teams must focus on creating high-quality scoring chances and getting traffic in front of the net. They also need to maintain defensive discipline to limit their opponent's scoring opportunities.

The New York Rangers' Game 2 performance serves as a reminder that playoff hockey is unpredictable and challenging. The pressure to perform, the quality of the opponent, and the need for balanced contributions all play significant roles in a team's success. While Game 2 was a no-show for the Rangers, it's essential to remember that the playoffs are a series, and teams have the opportunity to bounce back and learn from their mistakes. Playoff hockey continues to captivate fans with its intensity and drama, and the Rangers, like all playoff teams, will strive to overcome adversity and chase their championship dreams.