First Period:
- Andrew Copp (2)Assists: Artemi Panarin (1), Justin Braun (1)
- Jake Guentzel (3) Assists: Marcus Pettersson (1), Sidney Crosby (3)
Second Period:
- Ryan Strome (1) (Power Play) Assists: Adam Fox (1), Artemi Panarin (2)
- Chris Kreider (2) Assists: Frank Vatrano (1), K’Andre Miller (1)
- Sidney Crosby (1) Assists: Mike Matheson (1), Bryan Rust (3)
Third Period:
- Artemi Panarin (1) Assists: K’Andre Miller (2), Frank Vatrano (2)
- Frank Vatrano (1) Assists: Braden Schneider (1)
Three Stars:
- 3: Frank Vatrano
- 2: Igor Shesterkin
- 1: Artemi Panarin
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- The score won’t make this game seem close, but Igor Shesterkin saved this game for the Rangers in the first half of the third period. The Penguins were pushing to tie it, the Rangers never had the puck and Shesterkin made a number of really big saves, including a huge one on Sidney Crosby. They were able to build on that lead with Panarin’s bank shot and Vatrano’s goal because Shesterkin, nearly on his own, kept the Rangers in the lead.
- On TNT, Eddie Olczyk and their ref analyst Don Koharski blamed Shesterkin and said that he stuck his leg out and initiated the contact with Jeff Carter. Sam and Joe on MSG put the blame on Carter. I thought that it was a bit more incidental contact, but it’s the playoffs so you can’t rule out Carter trying to take Shesterkin out. Rod Brind’Amour basically accused the the Bruins of trying to take out the Carolina goalies. Either way, Shesterkin seems fine and that is what matters most.
- I think the Rangers were more consistent overall in this game. The game itself was a bit more even and without the major swings of how the Rangers dominated the first and the Penguins dominated the second in game one. This was a game where the Rangers needed their biggest guys to make plays and, outside of Shesterkin, there was Chris Kreider was a terrific tip for the third goal and a three-point night from Artemi Panarin.
- We’ve seen Panarin at his best at times and at his turnover/forcing passes worst at times through two games. His turnovers come from the confidence he has to make certain plays, but there are times when he just needs to send it into the zone. Still, you take his incredible play with his giveaways because in almost all instances he still comes out a positive player. That was the case tonight.
- Sidney Crosby and his line have been a problem and they could become a bigger one as the series shifts to Pittsburgh and the Pens get the last change.
- Injuries always happen in the playoffs and they have hit both teams so far. We’ll have to see what happens with Barlcay Goodrow and whether Ryan Lindgren could have played or not, it was smarter to sit him rather than run the risk of him needing to leave the game and forcing the Rangers down to five defensemen. A healthy Justin Braun makes more sense than a 50% Ryan Lindgren or going down to 5 defensemen.
- Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp continue to produce. Vatrano had a strong game and Copp just finds his spots on the ice to score.
- Louis Domingue had the Penguins in this for most of the game, but, like most back up/third string goalies, you’d expect his game to start slipping the more he plays and the longer the series goes on.
- Game 3 is on Saturday