Rangers came lopsided playoff – Dagsavisen

By Stian Johnsen

 
 

– I think we started well and created some good opportunities. If we had scored in any of the first chances, so we had been here with a completely different feeling, summed Eric Staal facing the club website.

 
 

– Zatkoff saved some important shots in the beginning. We did not come out of him in the first period, supplemented form strong Derek Stepan contributed with two goals for Rangers.

 
 

Penguins had to cope without goalkeeper Marc Andre Fleury, which many thought would be the Rangers advantage, but Jeff Zatkoff dominating the Penguins cage. Instead, it was defensive problems for the Rangers, who also lost his first keeper after one period of Wednesday’s game.

 
 

Henrik Lundqvist had already trouble when Patric Horn Qvist made it 1-0 for the Penguins with 17 seconds left to play of the first period. Star goalie did teammate Marc Staal stick in his right eye and was replaced by Antti Raanta at halftime.

 
 

– I thought I hit the helmet, but was not sure. That has never happened before. I just hope he’s ok, said Staal after the game.

 
 

Horn Qvist-hattrick

 
 

Also in the second period, the Rangers again punished the very end. Dan Girardis weak shot attempt gave Penguins a counter opportunity. Horn Qvist served captain Sidney Crosby, who scored the 2-0.

 
 

Stepan created new hope for Rangers when he reduced the lead to 1-2 after three minutes of the final period, but it did not last long. Tom Kuhnhackl increased to 3-1 two minutes later, while Horn Qvist was shoot ahead again and made 4-1 in the hideout before the period was half played.

 
 

Stepan got embellished further in points statistics in the målrike third period, but it was only a consolation goal for Rangers. Zuccarello had assists on 2-4-reducer. Swede got older 18.43 minutes glaciation Wednesday. He noted two shots on goal.

 
 

Three minutes before the end scored Swedish Patric Horn Qvist his third goal of the match and noted thus his fourth points.

 
 

Questioned

 
 

Next playoff game also runs in Pittsburgh on Saturday, before the teams meet in two straight games at Madison Square Garden in New York.

 
 

For the Rangers it can become very difficult to move forward if it turns out that Lundqvist, the team’s big star, losing several matches due øyesmellen. Coach Alain Vigneault said on Wednesday that it must be considered “day by day” about Lundqvist can play. (© NTB)

 
 

Results:

 
 

NHL playoffs hockey Wednesday, 1st round (best of 7):

 
 

East: Tampa Bay Lightning – Detroit Red Wings 3-2 (1-0, 1-2, 1-0) on aggregate 1-0, Pittsburgh Penguins – New York Rangers 5-2 (1-0, 1- 0, 3-2), total 1-0.

 
 

Playing Thursday: Washington Capitals – Philadelphia Flyers New York Islanders – Florida Panthers.

 
 

West: St. Louis Blues – Chicago Blackhawks 1-0 E. F. (0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0) on aggregate 1-0.

 
 

Playing Thursday: Minnesota Wild – Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks – Los Angeles Kings.