Despite an electric start to last night’s game in Pittsburgh, the Rangers fell short by one goal putting their seven game win streak to an end with one game left before Christmas break. Overall, the Rangers played a respectable game and looked really good at points but in the end, a stupid penalty caused the tide to turn and a huge missed call at the end was the icing on the cake for the Rangers falling just short in this one. It was a goalie game for sure as both Shesterkin and Tristan Jarry played exceptionally well, stopping 28 and 24 shots respectively. However, the difference maker ended up being special teams as the Rangers were unable to convert on the power play, whereas Pittsburgh went two for three on their man advantage.
The game got off to a great start for the Blueshirts where 42 seconds into the game, Chris Kreider threw a shot on goal that somehow ended up in the back of the net, getting past Jarry. At first glance, it looked like it may have deflected off of Vincent Trocheck’s stick but Kreider would be credited with the goal as it must have gone in cleanly. The play came right after a great save right off the jump from Igor Shesterkin as the Rangers were able to go the other way with the puck as Trocheck gave Kreider a nice pass. That line seems to be gaining a lot of chemistry which is definitely a good thing for the Rangers. As for the rest of the period, the Rangers had chances to potentially run away with this one as two power play opportunities came and went without any conversions. The latter was cut a bit short as Adam Fox got called for holding Brock McGinn after losing his stick while defending the play.
No other goals came from the first which brought us to the second period where both teams would record a high throughout the game of ten shots a piece. More penalties came as Kasperi Kapanen tripped up Adam Fox early on in the period but again, no dice for the Rangers power play unit. The wheels would start to fall off the wagon a little bit as the penalties started going the other way and the Penguins would be able to take advantage. K’Andre Miller interfered with Rickard Rakell which led to Evgeni Malkin tying the game up at one. Not long after, the Penguins headed back to the power play as Sammy Blais would get called for roughing Brock McGinn.
Look, I’ve been one of the few Sammy Blais defenders this season and I stand by my take that he hasn’t been nearly as bad as some fans are making him out to be. However, when you have zero goals on the year and are struggling to really stand out in any way, your mistakes are going to be all the more costly. Taking a stupid retaliation penalty like he did, especially when it results in a goal against your team is a very bad look. Not only is it a bad look but it’s going to outweigh whatever little positive contributions you have had or are having and even then, there hasn’t been much from him in the last couple games. This resulted in him not seeing the ice for the entirety of the third period and like many, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Julien Gauthier return to the line-up in Blais’ spot Thursday Night. I’m not suggesting that it’s time to send Sammy Blais packing but I would definitely say that the time to shorten his leash a bit is definitely here.
Nevertheless, Blais’ penalty resulted in Bryan Rust tipping a shot in to give the Penguins their first lead of the night and essentially ended Sammy Blais night as he would ride the pine through the games final twenty. To the third we went and as we were nearing the halfway point of the period, Sidney Crosby scored on a beautiful play that made it a 3-1 game. For as much as the Rangers/Penguins have a bit of a rivalry, so much credit has to be given to how good Sidney Crosby has been this season. The fact that he is now in his mid thirties and is low key having one of his best seasons of his career is incredible. Two minutes later, the Rangers would show some life as again, it was the Trocheck/Kreider/Vesey line going to work.
Trocheck pulled off a great move that gave him the time and space to once again feed a wide open Chris Kreider who led a shot that was destined for the back of the net go right past Tristan Jarry, making it a 3-2 game. Jonny Brodzinski would get credited with the secondary assist on the play which makes now a good time to mention just how solid he has been on that fourth line ever since his call up. It seems that every shift he is giving 110% and it’s becoming more and more noticeable with how involved he has been in some of the team's best shifts. With a few minutes to go, the Rangers pulled Shesterkin in their last ditch effort to tie the game but unfortunately, it would be too little too late.
Their best chance in tying the game came from a Mika Zibanejad almost breakaway that ended up with him on the ice as he was taken down by Brian Dumoulin. As annoying as it is to say, it has to be said. I do not for the life of me understand how that wasn’t a tripping penalty but after last season’s playoff run, it’s hard to really be surprised when the calls aren’t there in a Rangers/Penguins game. Low and behold, play went on and time expired, putting an end to this nice little run the Rangers have been on for the last seven games. Thankfully, they’ll have the chance to end this part of the season on a high note as they will take on the New York Islanders on Garden Ice tomorrow night. (Thursday). Expect them to be hungry for that win so we can all head home for the holiday’s happy with the team’s overall month of December.
Chris Feldman
Comments