Rangers @ Penguins Post Game Thoughts

This game was fairly frustrating don't you think...it was a very fun game to watch during 5 on 5 play with both teams playing very spirited hockey, but this game was there for the taking...

The main reason this game was lost was because of penalties and special teams. The Rangers took 8!!! penalties in this one. You cannot win against a very good team like the Penguins when taking so many penalties. Just think about it, that is almost an entire period spent killing off penalties. Although the penalty killing was very, very good, only giving up one goal in those eight chances to the very talented Penguins, it was apparent that the Rangers didn't have the legs towards the end of the game to make a final push for the tie because they spent so much time killing penalties. Also, even though the Rangers did score a power play goal in this one, the power play with five minutes remaining in the game was just putrid and effectively ended all hope the Rangers had of trying to come back.

Although I cant stand Mike Milbury who will take any shot at the Rangers as he can, you have to agree with what he said during the second intermission. The Rangers are at times just way too passive. They strike first by attacking the Penguins, taking the play to them, then after the goal it almost seems as if they seem content with the lead then begin playing a defensive and passive game. They need to find a killer instinct they had in the first round playoff match-up against the Thrashers last year when they never let their foot off the gas and took the play right to them for all 60 minutes.

I have no doubt that this Rangers team will make the playoffs, but if you take a look at the standings there are a lot of teams starting to breathe down our back. The 9th place Capitals only trail us by 3 points although we do have a game in hand. But, any small skid can knock us out of the playoffs in the blink of an eye. I also feel like we always hit a little wall at the end of the season. Tomorrows game against the Pens will be very important, I think it almost a must win situation especially since it is on home ice. A loss by the Rangers plus wins by a few other teams can cause things to get interesting real fast.

At 6 tonight the 8th seeded Bruins will take on the Sabres in Buffalo. Boston only trails the Rangers by 1 point in the standings so a win by them can result in a tie for the 7th and 8th spots by the Rangers and Flyers, really leaving the Rangers in a must win situation tomorrow. Lets go Sabres.

Lastly, although we're in the final stretch of an exciting hockey season, one can't avoid the excitement that the opening day of the baseball season brings. I for one can't wait to watch Johan Santana make his Mets debut in Florida tomorrow at 4. Should be a great day of sports with the Yankees at 1, Mets at 4, and the Rangers at 7. Oh and the Phillies play at 3 for one of the writers of this site who will not be named. Lets go Mets and of course the Rangers.