Live Blog - Rangers @ Pittsburgh Game 1

So, we didn’t create the Rangers Live Blog but we are continuing it. Rangers try to continue their post season success on the road tonight against the Pens. Folks, I’m nervous. I expect plenty of heart attacks during this series and I think it’s going to be a fun one. The quest for the cup continues. Let’s Go Rangers!

7:09 pm: Well Rangers are going to start a man down. Jagr gets called and is sent to the box. Oh Boy.

7:10 pm: Rangers are wearing white. Pens fans are wearing white. Hmm…opposite day at the Igloo?

7:13 pm: Well some scary chances for Pitt but no goal. Even strength, like to see the Rangers press offensively and slow up the Pens momentum.

7:16 pm: Tyutin with some criminal turnovers in the Rangers zone. This team can’t afford to have Tyutin play the way he did at the beginning of the Devils series.

7:18 pm: Rangers called for another penalty, on Backman. This game has started horribly, Pens have 8 shots - Rangers 0. Luckily the Rangers aren’t down a goal but you can’t keep giving this Pitt team chances.

7:23 pm: Hell of a PK for the Rangers. Almost got a SH goal at the end there. Need to turn that into some offensive momentum.

7:27 pm: Boys in blue look like they have their heads back on their shoulders. Got some nice pressure on the Pens defense but not to many shots got through to Fleury. But, the ones that did get to the net came out for long rebounds, let’s hope Fleury is drinking the same Kool-Aid Marty was in the Devils series.

7:30 pm: Ryan Whitney called for high sticking. Rangers on the PP. Time to quiet the crowd.

7:31 pm: DUBI GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s how you take advantage of the other teams mistake. Rangers lead 1-0.

7:37 pm: Rangers are being very physical on Crosby. I like that game plan, force him to adjust and feel uncomfortable.

7:38 pm: Hooking called on Sykora. Rangers go on their second PP of the night. Wouldn’t mind going into the locker room up two.

7:40 pm: Interference called on Shanny. 4 on 4 hockey for about a minute. I didn’t see the penalty but the camera angle was not great.

End of the 1st: Well the Rangers survive playing a bad opening 8 minutes to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room after one. Classic Rangers slow start but they were able to overcome it by killing off a couple of Pens PP and converting on one of their own. Can’t complain about the score.

8:00 pm: Goal has officially been given to Straka. Still 1-0.

8:03 pm: DRURY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Might get overturned because Drury’s stick was pretty high. For now Rangers lead 2-0.

8:06 pm: GOAL COUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rangers lead 2-0. Tough call but Rangers get the benefit of the doubt. Great hand eye coordination by Drury to make the deflection. Fleury was six feet in the air trying to make that save.

8:09 pm: AVERY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Rangers lead 3-0. You gotta be kidding me! Fists pumps of the world unite!

8:15 pm: Rangers doing a nice job winning face-offs. That’s an area they had trouble with against Jersey.

8:18 pm: This is why insurance goals are very important against the Pens. Looks like the goal went of Rozsival’s skate, credited to Ruutu.

8:19 pm: So much for the cushion. Goal by DuPuis. Rangers lead 3-2.

8:23 pm: Well let’s see if a penalty can slow this Pens momentum down. Rangers on the PP.

8:29 pm: PP can’t convert, although they had some nice chances. Backman shot one right into the chest of Fleury, Rangers remain in control with 6 minutes to play in the period.

8:34 pm: Sid the Kid draws the penalty on Dubi. Questionable call to say the least. Pens on the PP.

8:37 pm: Rangers kill of the PP with the help of some great saves by Hank. Got to make it out of this period alive.

End of 2nd: Whew! Well after dominating the first five minutes of this period the Rangers back peddled for the last fifteen. You never want to blow a 3-0 lead to anyone but it just goes to show you how powerful this Penguins offense is. Rangers still lead by one, so after all of that the score remains the same margin. Rangers lead 3-2.

9:00 pm: Here come the heart attacks.

9:04 pm: Pittsburgh goal. This game is tied. That play was allowed to happen because Tyutin decided not to hit someone and cause a disruption at the start. Game tied 3-3.

9:06 pm: You gotta be kidding me. Three on two break away right after they allow the tying goal. Sykora goal. Pens lead 4-3.

9:14 pm: BACK FROM THE DEAD! GOMEZ GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tied 4-4. OK, OK.

9:23 pm: Rangers have definitely stepped up their play after that Gomez goal. Just over four remaining, I don’t want this game to go to OT. I want a quick goal, I’m feeling a young gun like Callahan stepping up here at the end. Call me crazy.

9:27 pm: Rangers called for the penalty. Straka for interference. Oh boy.

9:30 pm: Well I didn’t mean that young gun. Crosby scores. Pens lead 5-4.

End of 3rd: Jagr had a chance to put one home there at the end, instead it goes off the post.  Disappointing loss.