If you came to this site looking for yours truly to eat some crow on my constant ragging on Jason Strudwick, you should just hit the back button now, because it ain’t gonna happen. That was just a picture perfect, thread the needle, make you pump your fist BEAUTIFUL pass by Paul Mara. Anyone could have scored that goal, all you need to do is be able to skate, and use a hand to hold a stick. Mara practically put it in the net for Strudwick, hitting the tape of his stick, between the defenders legs, and making it go in.
You know what they say the best offensive is a good defense….or was it the best defense is a good offense? Or was it when your defense is playing offense, then your offense doesnt have to play defense? Uhh, someone get me some tylenol. Anyways, the Rangers D were phenomenal in this game. They played really well in the 2nd and 3rd periods, and accounted for all 4 Ranger goals. That is no small feat, because remember, the Rangers achilles heel was going to be their horrendous defense.
Henrik Lundqvist was good in this game. Not spectacular, though he made some really difficult saves, I think he should have had Crosbys goal, and should have controlled the puck before Sykora scored. If you watch the replay on Crosbys goal, instead of Henrik doing his typical lightning quick side to side, he sorta 2-steps over. It’s hard to describe, but its like he did a slide, it didnt go far enough, and he hopped a bit to try to get in position. If he slid over in 1 fluid motion, he would have gobbled that puck up, especially since Crosby shanked it. The Sykora one was a bit more forgivable since it was his own player that played the puck into him, but he had 2 chances to stop it, and missed with his glove both times, perhaps im being overly critical, but when you witness perfection night in and night out, sometimes the little things bug you. (Imagine if I were a Penguins fan, I would have a field day ripping MAF to shreds).
I have to give credit to Tom Renney in this one, he definitely did a great job adjusting to the overwhelming Pittsburgh counter attack in the first period. He did so by matching up Fedor Tyutin and Daniel Girardi against Sid the kid. Toots and Girardi were just phenomenal out there. Both were physical, and both moved the puck well. Really, what can you say? They are quickly developing into a top 5-10 defensive pairing in the entire NHL.
Rangers are now in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic (after a horrendous start), and have won 9 of 10, and 5 in a row. If they had started the season off like they should have, they would probably be tied with the Senators for best record in the NHL.