Achi news desk-
The Rangers didn’t allow it to happen to them. They never came close to succumbing to the so-called curse of the President’s Trophy and eight of the previous 37 winners fell in the first round, including the Lightning and the Bruins.
What does that mean?
For one, it proves their superiority to the Capitals, but more importantly it says a lot about the Rangers’ ability to rise to the moment, to do what is needed when needed, to leave no doubt.
“It means we are ready for everything,” said goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin. “We play until the end, all 60 minutes, and we help each other to be better.”
New York, which had the third-ranked penalty kill in the regular season, scored as many shorthanded goals (two) as Washington scored power play goals, going 15-for-17 on the PK in the series (88.2 per hundred) .
Alex Ovechkin, the most dangerous goal scorer on the power play in NHL history, barely sniffed a shot on goal on the power play, let alone a scoring opportunity. He did not have a point in the series, the first time in his 15 postseason appearances that he had zero overall.
“We were doing a good job on the penalty kill, making sure we stayed close to him, but not only that, the rest of the three guys, the pressure we put on, the way we we work together, that doesn’t allow them to cut us down and open it up,” said Sibanejad. “That’s what usually happens, it opens when there’s a breakdown. We did a good job there and then and then just stayed tight on it. You know when he’s out there and just making sure we play good defense.”
The Rangers, not surprisingly, dominated the power play, who were also No. 3 in the League in the regular season. They were 6-for-14 in the last three games, including 3-for-4 in Game 4, after going 0-for-2 in Game 1, when they won 4-1 with four goals on 5 -5 and a perfect PK (4-for-4).
Their top unit with Zibanejad, Trocheck, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox was dynamic. Check out their first power play goal on Sunday. Everyone touches the puck, sometimes multiple times, with it on and off their stick in a flash, before Trocheck scores from the slot.
“You want to stay predictable to each other, but at the same time we’ve got guys who can play in so many different positions shaping how we play, so I’d say it’s n difficult to scout us,” said Zibanejad. “I think that’s the next step for us. I think we’ve been good, but I think that’s really helped us move a bit more, have more movement and be a bit more unpredictable for the opposition and still predictable for our boys.”
New York started with the puck often, winning 55.5 percent of the faceoffs, including 70.4 percent on the power play, 51.9 percent on the PK and 58.1 percent in the defensive zone overall.
Trocheck led the Rangers with 73 playoff games. 52 won for 71.2 per cent.
The Rangers trailer in the series for a total of 3:21; at 2:47 in Game 2 and at 34 seconds in Game 3.
They had 10 different goal scorers and 14 of 18 skaters with a point.
Shesterkin was excellent as well, allowing seven goals on 101 shots for a 1.75 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
“Honestly, one or two of you asked what would be different in the playoffs from the regular season?” said Zibanejad. “Well, I think the things we’ve done in the regular season over 82 games is something we continue to do. And I think we’ve been building towards this, and I still think we can be better.”
They will need to be. It’s only going to get harder from here. But starting like this, winning like this, dominating like this, doing it in 240 minutes across one week should fuel the Rangers’ confidence and give them the stamina they will need for longevity.
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