The fatique set in late, as the Rangers sagged in the second period, took penalties (a problem, as we noted less than an hour ago) and the fresher Canadiens surged, allowing only one shot on goal.
Some highlights and lowlights:
On the delayed call on Betts, Hollweg collided with Rozsival in the corner to allow the set up. Gotta like the young Canadiens: Lapierre, the brothers Kostitsyn.
That Higgins post almost was a killer; Lundqvist seems a tick slow...
Hossa, playing for Prucha, couldn't get a stick down in front. His timing's off, as Joe Micheletti said, but Hossa has underachieved all season.
Marc Staal did block a centering pass by Plekanec, then Kovalev alertly gloved down a really poor clearing attempt by Staal for the second goal.
The Rangers need to push for 20 more and get this to OT...
Comments (9)
Our two $$$ centers were the catalyst for this win. Gomez all over the ice and Jagr is finally getting it and actually keeping up with Gomez. That line is clicking. Straka just makes it even better.
Drury was a master on faceoffs all night, also got the tying clutch goal and set up Shanny for the winner.
When asked about the 2nd period letdown, Shanny said the line changes got all mixed up, rotation wasn't real good, couple of lines got a lot of ice time and a couple of lines got no ice time. Whoaaa!
Isn't it the coach's responsibility to make sure that doesn't happen? Sometimes I think the action is to fast for Renney to follow. He's intelligent and methodical but his reaction time is tortoise like. At least he caught up in the third period.
Nice win.
Yeah. The big three have finally started showing up. Drury does what he does best, win the face off and dig around in front of the net to get the goal.
More to it than goals and assists Matt. There's a whole lot more to think about...and the puck is going in a whole lot less than more when the 4th line is on the ice...and don't give me the plus minus. It's a useless stat. It doesn't account for all the time players spend on the ice and stop the other team from scoring.
Referring to your question about the 4th line at 22:12 Matt...
Three things I took note of that I haven't seen from this team in a long time.
(1) They beat a very good team, Montreal played a good game themselves unlike the leafs last night, (2) They came from behind in the 3rd period, (3) They beat a rested team when they had a game the night before. Impressive if they can keep it up.
Dan,
I understand what ur saying. But renney uses them at bad times and come one they shouldnt be playing 12 mins. In the third period we need to score they shouldnt play. With a min to go in the third score tied the fourth line plays. They shouldnt be playing more than the third line which they did tonight.
Guys, when the Rangers are behind, no way should the 4th line be out there. When they are ahead, different story. They can kill time and keep the puck in the offensive end, as long as they aren't on too long a shift and tire out.
Don't think I saw them out there much in the 3rd period which was the right move in my opinion.
following up on the 4th line discussion.. in addition to shutting down the opponent's top line, the HBO line also generates a fair amount of offensive chances. blair betts is one of the most underrated guys on our team, and not just for his penalty killing ability. sooner or later, hollweg and orr are going to find the back of the net. and let's not forget the physical game these guys bring.
lastly, can we give hossa a break, given that he's been scratched for a number of games? of course his timing is off. he'll find the back of the net too, give it time.
tito,
Hossa is a power forward. He's got the size and plays like one. Power forwards hit the back of the net a hell of a lot more than he does. He needs to start if he has any hopes of getting that contract extension.