RANGERS VS BRUINS 3/2/17

RANGERS VS BRUINS 3/2/17

By: Matthew Blittner

Rangers 2, Bruins 1:           3/2/17        TD Garden

An Original Six matchup between two potential playoff opponents in an electric atmosphere at TD Garden. 

The Bruins have been a team on a mission since replacing Claude Julien with Bruce Cassidy as their interim head coach as they look to get back to the postseason for the first time in three years. 

The Blueshirts came into the matchup banged up as Jesper Fast is now out for 2-3 weeks with an UPI, Kevin Klein (back spasms -- out), Mike Zibanejad (hand -- returned to action), and Michael Grabner (hip -- out).

To help offset these injuries, the Rangers recalled rookie forward Pavel Buchnevich and inserted newly acquired defenseman Brendan Smith into the lineup.

Both teams looked to continue to climb the playoff ranks as the season hits the home stretch, and that meant an intense electric matchup was in the offing.

OVERVIEW:

Right out of the gate the Rangers were in deep trouble. Just seconds into the game the Bruins stormed the Blueshirts' zone and got a man alone in front of birthday boy Henrik Lundqvist. And it wasn't just any ordinary man, it was David Pastrnak. Lundqvist made a save of the game candidate by sprawling out to stone Pastrnak and abort any early Bruins' leads. 

Then about four minutes later, Bruins' great, Zdeno Chara had a partial breakaway within the Rangers' zone and was stoned by Lundqvist who showed early on that this birthday was going to be one to remember.

After 11:15 had gone by of the first period, the visitors were still without a shot on goal. Eventually a few seconds later the Rangers would get on the board in that column -- leading to an eventual 10-2 shots deficit at the end of one.

The second period saw the Blueshirts come out fast and determined, a complete 180 from their first period. A seesaw period saw fast paced action on both sides, with the highlight being a glove save by Henrik Lundqvist to rob Patrice Bergeron of a sure goal at the 18:30 mark.

Finally came the third period, and a scoreless tie still in place. At the 5:10 mark of the final frame, newly recalled Pavel Buchnevich, stuttered and then sniped the puck through Boston goalie Tuukka Rask to put the Blueshirts up 1-0 and continue his hot streak -- in the AHL Wednesday night he scored the overtime game winner. 

Then at the 9:35 mark, Oscar Lindberg continued his re-emergence by doing his best Mario Lemieux impression by splitting the defense and passing the puck to himself and then sniping it through Rask for the 2-0 lead.

In the midst of the Rangers' excitement, Hank continued to add to his highlight reel birthday by sprawling out on the ice to once more rob Pastrnak of a goal.

The Bruins came right back at the 12:56 mark by batting away at loose pucks until Brad Marchand managed to bang home the puck and cut the deficit to 2-1.

As the TD Garden DJ was playing Livin' On A Prayer to hype the crowd with so appropriate lyrics, the Rangers made a stand, and no it wasn't Custard's. 

The final minutes of the game played out like a typical Rangers' fan's heartbeat, a roller coaster. Then mercifully the game came to an end with the Blueshirts victorious 2-1.

WHAT WENT RIGHT:

1. HIS MAJESTY'S NIGHT: Celebrating his 35th birthday, King Henrik proved that he's still got game by surviving the Bruins' barrage of shots as they outshot the Rangers 33-21, and in the process made several magnificent saves that had the spattering of Rangers fans in the crowd chanting, "HENRIK, HENRIK, HENRIK," while forgetting that they weren't at MSG.

2. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Both Rangers' goals were scored by their youngsters, rookie Buchnevich, and sophomore Lindberg to show that even though they have the 11th youngest roster in the NHL, that they are mature beyond their years.

3. PENALTY KILL: After a rough patch that saw them give up power play goals in five out of six games, the Blueshirts killed off both Bruins penalties tonight.

4. 3RD PERIOD DOMINANCE: The Rangers added two more goals to their league-leading third period tally and that was the difference in the game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

BEST SAVE: Just seconds into the game the Bruins stormed the Blueshirts' zone and got a man alone in front of birthday boy Henrik Lundqvist. And it was David Pastrnak. Lundqvist sprawled out to stone Pastrnak and abort any early Bruins' leads.

BEST GOAL: The Oscars may have been a few days ago, but give an honorary one to Oscar Lindberg as his Super Mario impression beat Rask and ended up being the game winner.

TURNING POINT:

A scoreless tie going into the third period, the Rangers needed a goal in the worst way, and youngster Buchnevich capped a strong return to the NHL with a beautiful delayed shot that beat Rask and gave the Blueshirts the lead.

WHAT THEY SAID:

MATTHEW BLITTNER: "A playoff atmosphere did not disappoint as the Rangers played a classic and proved that even when off their game they are still a dangerous team."

COMING ATTRACTION: The Rangers next game is Saturday March 4th when they welcome their Original Six rivals the Montreal Canadiens at MSG. Coverage begins at 6:30pm T.V. -- MSG Networks.

BOTTOM LINE: The Blueshirts need to get healthy, but until the cavalry arrives, the youngsters are more than capable of holding down the fort and continuing to rack up points as the season hits the final lap.