Post Game: Rangers 6 – Canadiens 3

If you had doubts that this game would be a ‘well contested’ affair, then those doubts were put to rest straight after the opening faceoff as Travis Moen squared off with the ever willing Brandon Prust. It seemed intentional and clever thinking by the Blueshirts to attack the Habs physically (in this case, literally) as the Canadiens came in to the game depleted.

The Rangers began the 1^st furiously; a period that would become their most prolific since 1991. Following a few chances and general fast play, Artem Anisimov got a break away and showed some slick stick handling to open the scoring on Carey Price, eventually going to the goalies left. Despite carrying the play however, it was Montreal who would get on the board next. Rangers favourite (detect the sarcasm) PK Subban showed great patience to allow a screen to develop in front of Lundqvist and slapped a shot from high in to the net, to tie the game. With the obscene amount of players in front of the Rangers goalie, he never stood a chance. After that it was all Rangers.

First it was Dan Girardi with a good blast, getting his fourth of the year. Soon after – following a scramble in front – Ryan Callahan got on the board to give the Rangers some breathing space and less than a minute after that, the recently improving Gaborik got another to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead. Gaborik can score past teams not from Long Island and Toronto….  The Rangers were not done yet though and got their 5^th of the period again less than a minute later, as Brian Boyle got his first point/goal in 8 games at which point Habs coach Jacques Martin had seen enough and pulled his Vezina candidate goalie Carey Price. Consider it a moral victory for Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers got on a roll and bombarded Price. Offensively they were strong and the fore check was consistent. It was a great period by the Rangers and the most goals in one since they toasted the Canucks for back in 1991.

The second was a closer affair and would end with a 1-0 advantage for the Canadiens but both sides had chances to score. The Rangers had a few power play opportunities – one after Rangers’ favourite (there’s that sarcasm again) PK Subban decided to run Lundqvist. Mike Sauer stuck up for his goalie though the referees seemed to protect Subban from a fight (and a beating). The Habs got the only goal of the period as James Wisniweski (what is it with all the Rangers ‘favourites’ on the Habs?) got one past Lundqvist who seemed to be screened by Marc Staal. Ex-Ranger Alex Auld played a good period in relief of Carey Price.

The third started badly for the Rangers, evoking memories of that amazing comeback by the Canadiens against the Rangers a few years back.  Less than a minute in, it was PK Subban who had time to wind up another shot and ex Devil Brian Gionta – in front – deflected the Subban shot past Lundqvist. The Rangers play was scrambled and inconsistent, allowing the Habs to really get into the game and pressure the Rangers’ lead. The Canadiens were shooting from everywhere as Lundqvist began to come more into focus and made some great saves, specifically after a Marc Staal turnover. It was not until the middle of the third that the Rangers got some sustained pressure following some nice work behind from Gaborik. With 8 minutes left to play the Rangers, now refocused, had a big chance as Callahan was robbed close in from Auld, as was Anisimov, straight after. Auld was faultless for the Habs up to this stage of the game. With 4 minutes left however, it was the King’s turn to take center stage. The Swede made a huge save fully extended, to maintain the 2 goal lead. If that went in (considering that infamous comeback) the Rangers probably panic over the last 4. It was a massive stop by the King. Just inside the last 4 and the Habs ran Lundqvist again and it was heart in mouth time for Rangers fans as the King needed attention. From the resultant powerplay the Rangers got their first PP goal in 6 games vs. the Habs as Prospal deflected a Girardi shot from the point to get his fifth of the year. That was that – two huge points for the Rangers, 6 goals and all that despite an incomplete performance.

• Artem Anisimov continues to improve. He was good throughout and it showed up on the board. If he’d do it game in game out he could be a strong center for the Rangers.
• Vinnie Prospal is clearly trying to get another 1 year deal in NY. Now riding an 8 game point streak, Prospal was very effective tonight.
• Brian McCabe’s worst game as a Ranger? He’s been solid since his arrival but he was weak at times during this game, including leading up to one of Habs goals.
• PK Subban needs to learn respect. That’s all I’m going to say. Can the Rangers dress Chris Simon for a game next time they play?
• Derek Stepan was very quiet in this game and only had around 11 minutes. The young center has been less effective recently.
• Henrik Lundqvist has another 3 goals allowed game yet – once again – plays an excellent game to extend his own personal record of 30 win seasons to start an NHL career (now 6). Congrats King.