The Penguins and Rangers are returning to New York for Games 3 and 4 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series. It is a bit of a surprise that the series is 2-0 in the Pens advantage.
In was common thinking that the Pens couldn't retain their level of play that they had over the Senators. The Rangers were a tougher opponent, more talented, and would be more interested then the Senators. So far the Rangers have been all of that. But, it hasn't mattered all that much.
The Rangers are playing their hardest right now. Jaromir Jagr who has had problems focusing in the playoffs in the past, obviously wants to win this series bad. He forechecking, skating, shooting, and passing to the best of his ability. Chris Drury has been a menance on the penalty kill. Marc Staal is a great young defenseman, But it hasn't been good enough.
In Game 1, the Rangers blew a 3-0 lead. With their vaunted defense and King Henrik in the net, that wasn't supposed to happen. After the Pens answered with two quick goals, it had turned into a Penguins style game. A scoring battle ultimately favors the Pens and they won Game 1 with a steller comeback effort.
Game 2 though was the Rangers game. They were playing tight defense through the neutral zone. Lundquist was wall in the net, denying the Pens at every turn. But, the Pens scored in a nifty backhand-to-forehand move by Jordan Staal on the power play to go up 1-0. You would figure that the Pens and their fans would be nervous over not filling the net like they did Game 1. This where perception of the Penguins should change.
Right now, the Pens supposed weakness, their defense, is outclassing the Rangers vaunted D. They playing a tight forecheck, and when the Rangers are getting chances, they aren't great chances. After the Rangers picked up three goals on the Pens to open Game 1, the Pens D has really clamped down. Marc-Andre Fleury is out-dueling King Henrik right now, after pitching his second shutout of the year. The Rangers played their game, and lost. That says a lot of how well the Penguins can adapt their play right now.
And maybe if the Rangers would focus on themselves, and instead of worrying about this supposed conspiracy that the refs and league have against them, they might not be in a 2-0 hole. They complained for calls before the series, and have continued to do so. They have complained Crosby is a diver, the Rangers are getting the short end of the stick in terms of calls, and blah blah blah. If they put all that energy they have into complaining about every call into their game, they wouldn;t be where they are at right now. Their have been missed calls on both sides, and when Fedor Tyutin blantantly pushes down Crosby with his free hand, its a penalty. There are things you can control and things you can't. Referreeing isn't one them, and if they want to win this series, they had better start focusing on something else.
And don't make the mistake of thinking the Pens are stealing this series. They have been the better team on the ice, period. They are playing better, complete hockey right now then anybody is. This isn't the one-dimensonal team that a lot of people would like you to think they are. You show up to play the Penguins right now, you had best bring you best and then some, because anything less will result in a loss.
That being said, Game 3 is going to be a measuring stick game for the Pens. We are going to find out how good this team really is. Going on the road, in a hostile enviroment, against a team that is fuming right now, is going to seriously test the mettle of the Penguins. The Pens are winless in Madison Square Garden this year, but that is irrevelent right now. The Pens have considerably raised their game in the post-season, and have proved they can win on the road. Game 3 should be a very entertaining game and interesting to see how both teams come out.
everything you said ,im in total agreement with.stated this stuff on there site.and i would blame the coach for there mess.m onkey see m onkey do.renney has his team down before they even played a game.i said if pens get a 1 or 2 goal start and there still complaining on tuesday,they might as well hit the showers.series is over.i cant beleave the veterans on the team didnt have a heart to heart with renney.jags/shanny/gomez/drury.all have a couple cups each.they know what to do in these circumstances.but i think renney has them all victimized.he doesnt have a clue.hes demoralizing his own player's like they cant win before they play a game.he was better off keeping his mouth shut.how many cups does he have.!!!!0!!!!my point taken when jagr went to sid on a good call.he can thank renney for planting it there in his head.end of story....
Did ya notice all the rangers, just humped over on the bench threw out the game mid way on.they are physicaly & mentaly spent allready.aged whine.there age and everyones whine in nyc.
the problem with the rangers they believe before the series started they are the better team. hearing all talk in the hockey world the sports announcers on other networks they would win the eastern conference and play for the stanley cup, but what do they know they are only spectators like me. the rangers can not compete with the ever changing style and speed the pens bring to the game. the rangers are concentrating on crosby. trying to take him out of the game and the series. there is more then crosby to worry about,on this team. sean avery's goon tactics will hurt the rangers in game three. win or lose the pens still have home ice advantage and it is tough to beat them at home. let the referees control the game. that is their job. this series is only going to get ugly. especially in NEW YORK
where is everyone getting that the rangers are the more talented team? I read on one person's blog that the rangers had the better offense and frontlines, I don't understand which rangers team this person was looking at?
I don't understand where you all get your information but the rangers came into this play off as the under dogs , the pens have a much better record and offence , rangers have more age, but with all that there is No way you can say the refs are calling a fair game , how about the stick in the face , the avery rule only for the the rangers?
The NHL has proven thru this set of games and other play off games its not about which team is better its all about how the NHL can make more money , bigger fan base younger players brings in more money . The NHL has sold its sole like all other sports.
Last edited by stark-ist on April 29th at 7:14 AM.
I don't know what games you are watching but to say the Fluery is out playing Lunquist is obsurd. The peguins are out playing the Rangers but Henrik has been the best player for the Rangers without him game 2 would have be six or seven to zero. Tonight is do or die for the blue shirts, they must leave it all on the ice tonight or the season is over
Please! Avery was never actually penalized on the play so don't cry about it. There is no "new" rule created, they simply decided to interpret an existing rule in a certain way for the future. For EVERY team. How is that applying only for the Rangers?
this is too much even for a Yankee fan like myself...if Arod's stool comes up soft, should that be news too...by the way, congrats on the girl...BTW, he also has millions of Yankee fans on ####. It is a HOT celebrity dating site. Many CEOs, pro athletes, doctors, lawyers, investors, entrepreneurs, beauty queens, fitness models go there and find what they want
The Rangers have yet to put forth acomplete game in the playoffs vs. the Penguins as well as the Devils. I'm a fan that have watched them all year and know what they can do when all cylinders are churning. Taking no glory from the Penguins, the Rangers WILL come back and make a series of it, don't doubt that for a second. Avery will be himself (they woke him up at the end of game 2-Thank You Mr. Fleury), the constant abuse of Jagr will cease (why he doesn't get the same calls Cindy gets is beyond me), the Defense will be extremely tough in front of Lundquist (thank you Jason Strudwick) and the Rangers will be going back to Pittsburgh dead even.
I enjoy watching the Penguins. I just can't stand the preferential treatment given to it's star player by the NHL. Please don't disagree on that point as it is just too obvious. I try and be as unbiased as can be and have been a hockey fan for over 45 years. I understand the game better than most and Cindy gets the nod as the NHL's poster boy by a wide margin. And I can't figure it out as Malkin is the superior player.
odds- The Rangers are a very talented team. They have to put faith in their talent to do what they do. They are too good to go complaining about everything call. I think it has really thown them off. The job Therrian had done with his team is still underrated, and I don't get how he never gers much credit for the Pens success.
milcon- It more then likely will. This is going to be a very chippy game tonight. The Pens have done what they said they would, not make Avery a factor, and he hasn't been in the way he was against the Devils. The Pens are the better team, but the Rangers are still a very good one. I think people saw the ease the Pens beat the Sens, and all the experience the Rangers have. But I did see more guys picking the Pens then the Rangers.
stark-ist- Um, New York is a much bigger market then Pittsburgh, and the NHL benefits having them in the playoffs, more then they do Pittsburgh. The whole conspiracy thing is just a convienent excuse for Penguins opponents when they beat them. It's just a bunch of sour grapes, nothing more.
majcorr- It's not that absurd. King Henrik is playing the best right now for the Rangers, but so did Martin Gerber for the Senators and that didn't mean he was playing better then Fleury. It is do or die tonight for the Rangers, and they know that.
crusadersNo2- I wouldn't think the Rangers coming back is a foregone conclusion. I don't think they are dead, but they had better bring their best. Things are different in the playoffs right now. I would say they played a good game in Game 2, the Pens were just better. Mr. Tough Guy Avery that makes sure he gets between a linesman and Georges Laraque and Hal Gill will continue to be a non-factor in this series. He is only as big of a pest as you make him, and Pens haven't made him one. Besides, how he is he going to do that from the bench with the reduced mintues he is getting?
the rangers are right in thinking that the refs are against them. In game 1 with 3 minutes to go Straka was called for intereference. Of course the person he interfered was crosby and he was given two minutes in the box. The penguins scored on this powerlay and the game was over. It was a terrible call and happened in the neurtral zone. The rangers had just scored but with this penalty their momentum was taken away.
In Game 2 the Penguins scored one goal, the other was an empty net at the closing of the third period. In the third period the refs blew a quick whistle and a Rangers goal was not counted. Fluery had not covered the puck and it was sliding into the net when the whistle blew. Thats BS.
On top of this there has been huge talk about if Avery pulls another stunt like he did against Brodeur in Round 1 then he would receive an unsportsmanlike penalty. Well Ruutu did the same thing to rosival is Game 1 and the ref saw it and did not make th call. Later that shift Ruutu scored for the Pens.
How can u tell me the refs are not agaisnt the Rangers
kev, jagr got those calls for years when he was still a tough player, back when he used to drive to the net and attempt to draw them... YEA attempt to DRAW them because he knew that, when you drive to the net and play aggressively, you will get penalties called for you.
1) The reason why the Penguins defense did better than the Rangers defense was because of their offense, not their defense. Playing against a superior offense is gonna make you look worse, no doubt about it. The Penguins use their top line a disproportunate amount of times and for longer - that entire game they covered two Rangers shifts in one. This tires the Rangers out. While the goal was scored by a different line, the Crosby line was certainly putting up the pressure every single time they were out there, and the Rangers defense looked tired and slow during Staal's goal. Sure the Penguins are fairly well-rounded but I would say that their "superior defense" was the result of Crosby and Malkin tiring out the Rangers the entire game.
2) I wouldn't say that there is a "conspiracy", but there's definitely a hesitency to make the diving call on the star player. It will make all the headline the next day. So while I don't think the refs are purposely making calls against the Rangers, I think that's the functional result of it when they are going out of their way to protect Crosby. Also, while the Tutyn penalty was not a dive, I've seen Crosby take dives in the past, which fuels the Rangers' skepticism of him. The early whistle on the Straka goal was a horrible, game-ruining call, but the result of poor officiating, not a conspiracy.
kevin- Sid the #### Crosby is just brillant. Your petty name calling doesn't change the fact that he is a great player. And the Straka play was a penalty. He impeeded Crosby progress to the puck when he didn't have it. That's the text book definition of interference. And Straka didn't even have to do it. Gomez made a nice play to break up the Pens break. And the quick whistle when on the non-goal happens all the time. The Pens have actually had to deal with that a couple times this post-season. Besides, Renney even said it was the right call. And he has been complaining about everything like his team.
First off, I'm am a Pens fan, living in NYC...As I have followed hockey for quite a while, all I have to say about Ranger fans is this. When Jagr was a Pen, Ranger fans would say he's diving, just like your comments about Crosby now...problem is for the one penalty that gets called dive or not, Crosby is getting double-teamed in corners, slashed, or interferred with about four of five times as much as any other player, he's under a mircoscope, just like Jagr/Lemiuex were in their prime...refs, by their nature can only make a judgement call...you want to let them play the game in the last few minutes, but if it was Straka taking the dive, and Crosby going to the box, Ranger fans would have cheered that call. I think this series in by no means over, Rangers have played solid, except for blowing a three goal lead, and both games have been very close on the scoresheet. You here about the West and it rivalries, but this one the best series of this round by far. Hoping for the sweep, but this one goes at least six games.
mk7676- Yes the Pens do have a superior offense, but that doesn't mean their defense isn't playing great. Their goals against for the entire playoffs is nine in six games. That is impressive no matter how you slice it. And so what if the Pens use their top lines a lot? It's called having your best players on the ice. And I am not even talking about their offense. Where had Brendan Shanhan been this series besides running his mouth? The Avery-Gomez-Shanahan line that destroyed the Devils has 2 points among them and is -4.
And no the refs aren't going out of their way to protect Crosby. That is just nonsense. If he is drawing penalties that he is putting himself in the position to do so. And the whole holier stance that the Rangers take on diving is a joke. I'm sure none of them has ever dove in their entire hockey career.
how can anyone say that crosby took a dive to draw a penalty when the replays show that the defender pulled him down with his left hand. can somebody who is a rangers fan please explain this to me. maybe the rangers realize that they can't keep up with the penguins youth and talent so they are crying foul so they have an excuse when the series is over.
PENS IN 5 GAMES
zappy013- Yeah, Crosby gets all the opposing team's attention just like Lemieux and Jags used to. Jagr did used to get a lot of same talk because both he and Crosby our strong on the puck and when they get knocked down it is preceived as a dive. I don't think it will be a sweep either, but will have to see.
enelen- Like I said to zappy, because Crosby is a strong puck handler, anytime he gets pushed, pulled, slashed, whatever, it is preceieved as a dive. If Hal Gill does pushes down Jagr with his free hand, it's a penalty, no discussion. But because Crosby gets pushed down, it's a dive. Whatever. All of the gamesmanship as Michel Therrian has called it hasn't effected the Pens and I am sure it won't at any point.
THE REFS IN PITTSBURGH ARE EFFEN RIDICULOUS WORST CALLED GAMES EVER ALMOST AS BAD AS LAST YEARS GAME 5 AGAINST BUFFALO... POLITICS ARE RUINING HOCKEY! IF THIS BS CONTINUES TONIGHT I AM BOYCOTTING THE NHL!!! WE GOT ROBBED O####OAL THE LAST 2 GAMES (ONE BY PIT ON A BS POWERPLAY AND ONE WE SCORED THAT WAS BLOWN DEAD WAY TOO EARLY!!) AFTER THE COUNTLESS 5 ON 4 SITUATIONS YOUR BOUND TO SCORE ONCE- HENRIK IS THE MAN PERIOD... AND IT DONT MATTER CAUSE ITS ON TONIGHT!! LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!
1) First of all, the Avery-Gomez Shanahan line is -4 because Coach Renny is using them every single time the Penguins' top line is out. It's very rare that they are out when that is not the case. Second, I'm not saying that the Penguins are dirty for using their top line a lot - if the Rangers had Crosby + Malkin, I'd want them to be double shifted, too. What I'm saying is that they tire the Rangers out substantially, which have the effect of slowing the Rangers on offense and on defense.
2) Refs always go out of their way to protect key players, it has nothing to do with Crosby. Football refs protect quarterbacks. Soccer and hockey refs protect top scorers. It's the way it works, and there isn't anything necessarily wrong with it. But a lot of time smart players can exploit this - to prove that I'm being fair, one of the biggest scorer/divers of all time was the Rangers' Theo Fleury. But I've seen Crosby take dives with my own eyes during the regular season. That is why the Rangers are so hesitant to trust him.
Well it's 3-0 Pens and all you Ranger fans are officially losers again like your team. Just as I predicted last summer after buying players just like your fellow Yankees, buying players doesn't work. The Pens are built with their farm system and trades. Now your only hope is that the salary cap increases so you can buy more players and lose again. Up 3-0, history shows 168-2 for the winning team. Have a nice summer and your best day of the season will be July 1st when you buy more players, declare yourself Cup champs and prepare for another year without a Cup.
Ronny what are you talking about, the Rangers start 5 rookies, all of which they trained with their farm system. That's a lot more than most teams - remember only 19 players start on an NHL team - that's over 25% of the Rangers starters are rookies. The Penguins on the other hand got two first picks in a row - hence Crosby and Malkin. How exactly is one team building with their farm system more than the other?
The Penguins will have a harder time staying in the cap than the Rangers will - there have been actual articles on the site about it.
question, will any new york fans have the balls to complain about the referees after tonight's game? 3 minutes of 5-3 and 3 shots... are we willing to admit that the rangers are being outplayed by a better team?
Ah, pride goeth before the fall. Pride in what you ask? So do I. I understand Ron Du#### was at the game to do Avery’s makeup for the Sassoon Jean comeback…Ohh La La. Talk about cork soakers! Sassoon has a better chance of coming back than the Rangers do. UpChucker, the golf is great…let me know how the fashion shoot is. F.a.g-Hags and Hose-Hogs, good lord buy another jersey. How many are the Rangers marketing these days? They still don’t make one that will fit over a Ranger fan’s head. I hear Avery is putting one out in pink. And it snaps or zips up so don’t worry about getting your encephalitis enhancements through. It should go nice with your…hell I don’t know, fore!
I have a prediction for you stump heads: the Rangers will win it all this year, but only in the final five minutes of every game. They’ll all be power play goals and the Rangers will do it all with broken sticks and Ranger Power!! And the NHL will make Avery Rules after EVERY game. First he’ll have to play with only one skate, then on roller skates, then he’ll have to play with a wiffle ball bat and then blind folded and then in a dress, (the only rule he won’t object to). And he will score and score and score and then we’ll all feather our hair like Ron Du####, (MUCH better than then ultra curl perm), and the cup will be renamed the Lord Ranger cup.
See the original again before the Rangers sequel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duvW NZ68p1g
He's a big star. I am his big fan. I saw him dating on a FREE & HOT celebrity&millionaire dating site called '' R i c hM a t c hM a k i n g . c o m ''. Seems he is hooking up with a hottie. The girl is from California. Very soft and sexy.
Buckles, as I've written before, this team just doesn't get rattled. They were dominated in the first 14 minutes, endured two 5-on-3's, withstood Jagr taking 10 shots and still wore out the Rangers. They were absolutely gassed, no shots in the last 9 minutes. If they can withstand a 1st period barrage in Game 4 and be tied or ahead - the sweep is on!
I love Hockey. It has been the best team in my heart. BTW, I heard that one of its teammates is dating on the first luxury online dating serivce ####. I don't who he is
it appears your blog has been hit by spammers, hope it isn't one of the regulars at the wheel, stiffys or buddy's trying to get back at you. jk, go greene county
It's amazing how good this team is, how far it has come in such a short time. They stunk a few years ago, now they look to be, quite possibly, as good or better than the Cup teams of the early 90's.
I am 21 year old college junior who attends Waynesburg University(ye s we are moving up in the world). I am from Rochester, PA and still live there. I am a die hard Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan and . In terms of college teams I like Penn St. and Pitt, a mortal sin to some but I like both, deal with it.
