Hayes Sinks Penguins in OT, Rangers take Commanding 3 – 1 Series Lead

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

Game fours are just as pivotal as Game threes; because you can either be up 3-1 or knotted at 2. The Rangers and the Penguins knew all of this coming into the game and the Penguins started off on the right foot. The Rangers seemed to be a step slow and just not as fresh as the Penguins, who controlled the play. The Rangers would be held to just two shots on goal in the opening period and fell behind 1-0.

The Penguins were able to score the first goal of the game, as a shot from the point by Ben Lovejoy was tipped in by Patric Hornqvist. But, that was all the Blueshirts were to allow, even though they were outshot 8-2 by Pittsburgh. But it could have been a lot worse for the Rangers, but they kept their composure and did weathered two power plays and still kept it within striking distance.

In the second period, the Rangers seemed a little looser and were able to up their game a bit. The Penguins were still trying to keep their speed game away from them, but it would not last. A Mats Zuccarello outlet pass to Ryan McDonagh started a rush that would see the puck dropped by Mac to Rick Nash, who put the shot on net and the Derick Brassard took over. With determination that he has shown all year long, Brass kept smacking at the puck until it squirted past Mar-Andre Fleury and the Blueshirts had a tie game.

The third saw more action at both ends of the ice, as each team did their best to score, but the defenses and goalies were up to each and every task. As the game neared the end of regulation, each team kept looking to score, but did not want to make a mistake that might cost them.

The Penguins broke in and a long pass eluded Gino Malkin and Henrik Lundqvist came out of his net to cut off the puck, but Malkin got a stick on it as he was sliding on the ice. Lundqvist was way out of position and Sidney Crosby was skating for the crease. But Dan Girardi beat him to the spot and stopped the puck and backhanded it just over Crosby’s stick and out of danger as the seconds ticked down to the end of regulation.

The game was off to Overtime and the Rangers had weathered another storm at the CONSOL Energy Center.

The Overtime period began as each team was trying to feel the other out. Pittsburgh was looking to tie up the series and the Blueshirts were looking to take a stranglehold on the series. The puck was dumped into the Penguin end and Marty St. Louis took control of the puck and passed it to Carl Hagelin. Hags then shot the puck at Fleury and the puck slid under the Penguin goalie and across the crease and onto the stick of Kevin Hayes, who promptly smacked it home past Fleury to win the game 2-1 in OT.

It was not only Kevin’s first NHL playoff goal, but it was a Game Winning OT Playoff goal!

The Rangers were held to only two (2) shots on goal in the first period and wound up out shooting Pittsburgh 24-23 in total shots on goal. Now the Broadway Blueshirts have a commanding 3-1 series lead and Game 5 will be played Friday evening at 7:00PM at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers can end it with a victory and give themselves some much needed rest before the second round.

But no matter what happens on Friday, the Rangers will bring their “A” game and the MSG crowd will bring PLENTY of NOISE!

Scoring:

PITT: Patric Hornqvist (2), Assisted by Ben Lovejoy & Paul Martin

NYR: Derick Brassard (3), Assisted by Rick Nash & Ryan McDonagh

OT: NYR: Kevin Hayes (1), Assisted by Carl Hagelin & Marty St. Louis

Team Stats                NYR                PITT

Shots on Goal            24                23

Power Play                0/2                 0/2

Hits                                42                28

Face Off Wins            27                36

Giveaways                        1                6

Takeaways                      4                2

Blocked Shots            19                17