The Captain delivers in OT, Rangers still alive! (NYR 2 v WSH 1)
There they were, staring elimination in the face. After having the edge in play for most for the game, an ill advised pinch by Keith Yandle led to a Curtis Glencross goal in the third period. Hope seemed lost.
SEE MATS ZUCCARELLO AT THE GARDEN FOR GM 5
Then with under two minutes on the clock, Yandle redeemed himself and picked up an assist on Chris Kreider’s game tying goal. Was this the spark the Rangers needed?
[su_quote cite=”Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-rally-thrilling-2-1-overtime-victory-game-five”]”I wanted to get it off as quickly as possible,” explained Kreider. “Just a great play by Derek. There was just a lot of resolve by a very determined group tonight.”[/su_quote]
Yesterday, Ryan McDonagh was strong in his convictions, “the season’s not over” he said. Heading off the ice after three periods he was right, now he would need to find a way to extend it further.
Overtime began and had fast and furious action as expected. The tension in the crowd was palpable and it looked the same on the ice. Then in a glorious moment, Jesper Fast got to puck over to Derek Stepan who delayed and dropped it back for Ryan McDonagh. The Captain blasted one in off a Caps defender and the Rangers were still alive.
[su_quote cite=”Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-rally-thrilling-2-1-overtime-victory-game-five”]”Obviously we know the building is going loud and the tension is rising, but at the same time you’ve got to be able to make plays and have poise with the puck. I’m just glad that we get to continue here and we’ve got another opportunity.”[/su_quote]
REPORT: ZUCCARELLO WORKING OUT
Now the Rangers will head back to Washington and put their incredible road record on the line. Their response in the face of adversity in Game 5 was excellent, but they had the home crowd behind them. The Verizon Center will be loud and boisterous. If the Rangers hope to push this to game 7, they will need to finally break out offensively. The coach, Alain Vigneault believes they can do it.
[su_quote cite=”Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-rally-thrilling-2-1-overtime-victory-game-five”] “Our group is mentally strong. We’ve been in a lot of these tight one-goal games. We understand the process we need to put on the ice and that’s we tried to do.”[/su_quote]
On to Sunday.
NOTES
Lundqvist: “It’s a relief to see the puck go in … the most important thing – we got the win here to force another game.”
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) May 9, 2015
AV was asked if that’s how he scripted it. With a smile: Eh, not exactly.” — Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey) May 9, 2015
Lundqvist on getting pulled: “There’s not much you can control in that situation. You just hope for the best. Season is on the line.” — Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey) May 9, 2015
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