Rangers chase away the Hamburglar, become 1st team to clinch playoff spot (NYR 5 v OTT 1)

By 
Mar 27, 2015
Tanner Glass postgame (MSG)

Tanner Glass postgame (MSG)

The New York Rangers made another statement last night by bouncing back from a bad performance against L.A. to a dominant one versus Ottawa. Alain Vigneault who said they “paid the price” for their execution on Tuesday was all smiles after Thursday’s effort.

Rangers 5 v. Senators 1

NYR 5 v OTT 1 (ESPN)

NYR 5 v OTT 1 (ESPN)

“We were able to take it home and get two points to clinch a playoff spot,” AV told the media. “That was our first goal. Now we’ve clinched and we’re going to try and work for home-ice advantage.”

Chris Kreider opened the scoring using blazing speed and a wicked shot but Curtis Lazar answered right back on a mirror like score. The equalizer came just 19 seconds after the Rangers tally and had many shaking their heads if we were in for another off night.

That question was answered by Ottawa native Dan Boyle who joined the rush and deked Sens goalie, Andrew Hammond out of position for the game winner. Chris Kreider added his 20th of the year on a prototypical power forward goal by crashing the net for a rebound.

“I thought it was pretty sloppy for the first 10 minutes or so,” Kreider explained of the start. The hulking winger went on to note that the execution from then on was better for both teams. However, the Rangers were just better and went on to score 5 goals against the hottest goalie in hockey.

Mats Zuccarello and Tanner Glass (yes, you read that correctly) notched 2nd period tallies and sent the Hamburglar packing. The 5 goals were the most he’s allowed this season and the loss was his first ever in regulation since he took over in February.

Tanner Glass who looked like the entire planet was lifted off his shoulders when he scored was all smiles later. He was awarded the Broadway Hat by his teammates and told reporters that “It’s one of many hopefully.”

There were a lot of positives in this game for the Rangers starting with offense from the defense. Their ability to penetrate the Ottawa defense and get tons of quality shots on Hammond was another great sign. But that best moment of the contest came when Tanner Glass scored and every member of the Rangers team from Hunwick to the head coach, AV were full of smiles.

Tanner Glass has been much maligned all year. For a 4th line grinder, Ive never seen such ridiculousness. Bloggers who live and die only by flawed possession stats continually point to him as all that ails the Rangers. “He always tries hard, he’s a good team guy and that’s why he’s here,” Vigneault said of Glass. That should be enough to get off his back but they won’t.

Bottom line is this, the Rangers sit atop the standings for the President’s Trophy and are the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Every single man on the roster has contributed to that and that says something.

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By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at YardBarker, and MSN. Features have been linked on Sportsnet, NBC, TFP, NY POST, NEWSDAY and more.