R3, G5: It Ain't Over, But It's Close

The Rangers moved one loss away from summertime on Wednesday night, losing 5-3 to the Devils in Game 5 of the best-of-seven.

In typical fashion, the Rangers stumbled out of the gate and gave up three quick goals to fall behind the eight ball. In typical fashion, the Rangers got their act together to mount a rally. They even tied the game ... before blowing it.

Supposedly it was wildly entertaining, but that is not what I would call it. I found it like many of the games this season: infuriating, and ultimately heartbreaking. The coach can't get the guys to show up on time, they struggled to establish their forecheck and for long stretches they made it all too easy for the opposing goaltender to make saves. But when they got their act together, the Blueshirts looked great - they looked like a team that could challenge Los Angeles for the Stanley Cup. The inconsistency killed them and it put the franchise in a perilous situation.

As someone said after the game (apologies to whoever it was), 'I look around out there, and I don't see any Messiers to make any guarantees. And that sucks.' It does, but this team doesn't need a singular saviour, they all need to step up their game and play the way that they can. For 60 minutes. For once.

Late Hits:

*The Mmmaaaarrrrttttyyyy chant after Gabby's game-tying goal was perhaps the loudest ever, definitely the loudest I ever bore witness to. So awesome.

*Finally saw the replays, shocked that Cally's goal counted. Absolutely shocked. Happy! But shocked. He clearly kicks that puck in with his left skate. Guess it just goes towards the whole 'going to the net is good' thing ...

*How did Cally not score on that power play?!? Damned post, helping out Brodeur. Red post, red jersey. Coincidence!?!?

*The power play went 0-for-2. Ugh. The Devils' kill is at 72.9% - 13th out of the 16 playoff teams.

*Not sure what was funnier, Brodeur's whale out of water flop on the Prust goal or Pruster's second period dive. The replay showed he kinda fell over the skirt on the net but, still, that looked hilarious.

*Hagelin is goal-less in his last 28 games.

*Rupp is pointless in his last 45. Check that, he has always been pointless.

*Richard$ doesn't have a goal in this series but damned if he didn't try to get one. On Henke. Whoops.

*Don't get the decision to start Stu over Eminger, as Torts' reasoning to insert Eminger still stood - Stu is so slow.

*After the 2-0 timeout, the Rangers had two exceptional chances keyed by Ruslan Fedotenko. The first he fed a sneaky, sneaky Gabby but the Slovak sniper was off the mark. The second he just shot the damned puck and forced a rebound that neither Kreider nor Gabby could jam past the girth of the goaltender. Despite seeing those chances squandered, the Ukrainian later threw the puck into space and Prust picked it up to score. Feds has more than earned his season salary with his performance in these playoffs.

*For all those who hold +/- in high regard, your hero was a Del Zastrous -3. But, unlike the last game, all was not entirely his fault. He went in for an unnecessary hit, abandoning his position on the 1-0 Gionta goal - which could also be hung on Step for giving up on the play after taking a stick to the face. On the 3-0 Zajac goal he was trying to help guard the 3-on-2 and Travis just blew it past him and Hank - Hank has to stop that. And DZ won the race to the puck on the game-winning goal but didn't bother addressing it with Kovalchuk coming. He took his hand off his stick to try to hold off Kovy, the stick came up and he didn't make any contact with the puck at all, allowing Gionta to feed it to Carter - a feed that went past Girardi and Richard$ to a player who got a step on Hagelin. Plenty of blame to go around for all. But I still hang him for two of the three (not the Zajac) and for the fact that, despite being an "offensive defenseman," DZ pissed away two minutes of power play time, wasn't on for a single goal for and didn't get a single shot on net.

*Saw that Boyle won 13 of 14 faceoffs. Honestly, didn't notice. Good for him.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Ruslan Fedotenko - one assist.
2-Ryan Callahan - one goal.
1-Ryan Carter - one goal.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars:
3-Elias - Sure his goal was a fluke but he was involved all night. Have to hope that doesn't jumpstart the Czech back into being his usual Ranger-killing self.
2-Feds - Aside from Hank and mayyyybe McD, the best Ranger of these playoffs. There's no panic in his game, just all-out effort.
1-Little Gionta - Little Gionta, that's redundant. Stephen channeled 'big' bro Brian to actually be relevant for the first time in his NHL career. Nice timing. Jerk.

 R3, G5: It Ain't Over, But It's Close - The NHL Playoff Drama Continues

In the world of professional hockey, playoff games are a theater of intensity, emotion, and suspense. Game 5 of Round 3 was no exception, as two teams clashed in a battle of wills with one side on the brink of elimination. In this article, we'll delve into the riveting storylines, pivotal moments, and the enduring drama of Game 5, while also addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the NHL playoffs.

Section 1: The Context

Before diving into Game 5, let's set the stage and understand the context:

Series Overview: We provide an overview of the series, including previous games' results and key highlights.

Team Dynamics: We explore the dynamics between the two teams, including their strengths, weaknesses, and player storylines.

Section 2: The Tension of Game 5

Game 5 is often a turning point in a playoff series and comes with immense pressure:

Do-or-Die Situation: One team faces elimination, while the other seeks to secure their spot in the next round.

Key Plays: We analyze the critical plays and moments that defined the game and shifted momentum.

Heroics and Heartbreak: Game 5 often produces heroes and heartbreak as players rise to the occasion or grapple with missed opportunities.

Section 3: The Aftermath

Following the conclusion of Game 5, the outcome reverberates through the hockey world:

Series Implications: We discuss how the result of Game 5 influences the series moving forward and the adjustments each team may make.

Fan Reactions: We examine the emotional responses of fans, from jubilation to despair, as they process the game's outcome.

Section 4: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NHL Playoffs

Let's address some common questions about the NHL playoffs:

What is the significance of Game 5 in a playoff series?

Game 5 often serves as a turning point, where one team can seize control of the series or face the brink of elimination.

How do teams prepare for high-pressure games like Game 5?

Teams focus on mental resilience, tactical adjustments, and maintaining physical conditioning to perform at their best.

What role does home-ice advantage play in playoff games like Game 5?

Home-ice advantage can provide a boost in terms of crowd support, familiarity with the rink, and the last line change, allowing teams to match lines effectively.

Section 5: Conclusion

Game 5 of the NHL playoffs is a microcosm of the sport's drama and unpredictability. It's a moment when the spotlight shines brightest on players, where heroes are made, and legacies are solidified. Yet, it's also a reminder that in hockey, as in life, the outcome is never certain until the final buzzer sounds. The anticipation, tension, and exhilaration of Game 5 are what make the NHL playoffs a riveting spectacle for fans worldwide. As we look ahead to the next chapter in this playoff saga, we can't help but acknowledge that it ain't over, but it's close, and the drama is far from finished.