Boston slowed the Rangers down throughout most of the game. They forced the Rangers' forwards wide leaving them only the option to shoot from the outside. Boston didn't give the Rangers many quality chances and in the third period the Rangers weren't playing with any sense of urgency.
The Rangers' power play was awful and to make matters worse, Nik Antropov left the game with a leg injury after his knee on knee collision with Milan Lucic. Down 1-0 in the third, how can a team fail on two third period power play opportunities?
The 4 on 3 power play was too predictable and couldn't generate enough shots on Tim Thomas. The forwards were stationery with the man advantage and too predictable passing the puck. Earth to the Rangers, Boston's only goal from Blake Wheeler deflected off Fredik Sjostrom's stick and grazed by Lundqvist. I say SHOOT! SHOOT! SHOOT! You will never get in trouble for shooting the puck !
A good power play can be a big difference to a team, especially a struggling team like the Rangers. If the power play is successful, it can build confidence, relieve pressure, and turn a team to a better 5 0n 5 scoring team.
Ok, so there are 3 games left. If the Rangers and Panthers both go 2-1 the Rangers are in with the tiebreaker. Is anyone going to step up in the locker room and say, "I am going to lead us to the playoffs."
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