DESPERATE RANGERS CLIMB BACK INTO SERIES

DESPERATE RANGERS CLIMB BACK INTO SERIES

By: Matthew Blittner

Heading into Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-up with the Ottawa Senators, the Blueshirts found themselves in an 0-2 hole.

Now, not all 0-2 holes are created equally. 

Sometimes the winning team straight up dominates the competition, but at other points, a combination of bad puck luck contributes to the 0-2 series deficit.

For the Rangers it was the latter option.

A hard fought opening game saw the Rangers fall 2-1 in Ottawa as a red hot Craig Anderson and a lucky shot from perennial Norris Trophy candidate Erik Karlsson combined to sink the Blueshirts.

The Blueshirts fought back in Game 2 and held a 5-3 lead going into the final 3:18 of the third period. 

With a two goal lead at that point in the game, the Rangers should have been able to bank the win, but alas, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored off two deflections to tie the game and register his second career Stanley Cup Playoff hat trick.

On to overtime and then to double-overtime, and Pageau struck for his fourth goal of the game on a 2-on-1 odd man rush at 2:26 of double OT to put Ottawa up 2-0 in the series.

As if they were seeing ghosts from their first round Game 2 meltdown against Montreal, the Rangers were grateful to have two days off between Games 2 and 3. With the extra day, they were able to avoid the carryover issues that plagued them in Game 3 against Montreal. 

Instead, they came out hard and fast as they built up lopsided shots and hits totals through 20 minutes of play.

A goal from Mats Zuccarello at 5:31 of the first opened the scoring, and then ZUCC followed that up with an assist on Michael Grabner's goal at 13:24 to complete the first period scoring. 

Goals by Rick Nash and Oscar Lindberg would add to the Rangers' tally in the second period, as they built a 4-0 lead. Ottawa would get one back at the end of the second, thanks to Ranger-killer Jean-Gabriel Pageau, but there would be no third period fireworks this time around.

Now it's time to get set for Game 4 on Thursday night, as the Rangers look to even the series at two games apiece. 

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