The Rangers-Senators Eastern Conference turned into a hardcore playoff series Saturday night.
Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss in their second game at Madison Square Garden was not anything less than exciting. Animosity, fights and a possible head injury for the Senators captain, can a hockey fan ask for anything more in a playoff game?
Saturday’s loss for the Rangers makes them tied with 1 at Game 3 against Ottawa on Monday.
Let’s break down the game a little. Chris Neil scored the winning goal at 1:17 during overtime.
One of the Rangers most valuable players, goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 30 shots for the his team and Craig Anderson saved 27 shots for the Senators.
Ready for the penalty minutes? Combined, the teams has 54 penalty minutes and they both were one for four on their power plays.
After the game on Thursday with the Rangers winning 4-2, both teams admitted they needed improvement.
During the intense, high-emotion game, Stralman excitedly slammed both of his fists on the glass to celebrate his first playoff goal.
Though the Rangers were in the load, Karlsson wound up tying the game at 1 at 13:50 when he chucked the puck on net at a sharp angle on the right.
Sadly for the Rangers, the puck was deflected into the goal off defenseman Michael Del Zotto’s left skate. It was an a save Lundqvist could not fortunately stop.
When the game ended the Rangers exited with their heads held low and the Senators remained on the ice with their hockey sticks held high, but just because the Rangers half-embarrassingly lost this game does not mean Senators should get comfortable with winning.
Do you think the Rangers will be able to win the play-off series against Ottawa?
