Lundqvist Surprised as Canadiens Down Rangers

(AP / Mary Altaffer)

With 1:56 left in the second period, Henrik Lundqvist stopped a one timer by Dale Weise with an amazing, incredible left pad save. Play continued for a few moments, and then the War Room in Toronto took over to check the instant replay. And check it they did. From almost every angle the War Room checked the play and could not come to a conclusive result, so the goal counted.

To those out there that root for Montreal or just hate the Rangers, please do not make too much noise. Usually when the replay has to be looked at by Toronto, the NY Rangers come out on the short end of the hockey stick. This is one of the very few times, and I mean VERY FEW times that the review came out in favor of the Broadway Blueshirts.

The opening period of this game looked like a scene out of the greatest hockey movie ever made: Slap Shot. Chris Kreider and PK Subban of the Canadiens went at it and penalties were called. Kreider went off for Misconduct and Subban for Embellishment. The two young stars were yapping at each other on the way to the penalty box and for the two minutes they spent there. As they exited the boxes, Kreider went after Subban and dropped his gloves. It looked like Subban would as well, but he then kept his on. Kreider grabbed his jersey and the Linesmen stepped in. Both were then sent back to the box for 2 minutes each for unsportsmanlike conduct.

When this penalty was over, head coach Alain Vigneault called Kreider to the bench. Then a fight did break out, as Tanner Glass challenged Brandon Prust and the two went at it. It was not bad and I called it a draw.

Both Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist were outstanding until there was 4:17 left in the third. Max Pacioretty came down the right side (which is the left side for Lundqvist) and let go with a shot that somehow beat the King to the short side (his glove side). Lundqvist was on his knees in the crease hanging his head, and the crowd sat in stunned silence.

I was sitting in the Chase Bridge section and just blurted out, “Are you kidding me!” The fans next to me were muttering to themselves as well. After the game, I was able to read the quote by Henrik on BlueshirtsUnited.com by Jim Cerny, which is as follows:

“I don’t expect him to shoot. I get caught too deep, and when I am about to push to my left I get stuck in the post. I mean there’s no excuse. I have to expect him to shoot even though it’s a weird angle or whatever. I have to stop it. This is on me and it’s a tough feeling.”

That was the only goal of the game and the Rangers fall 1-0. It is funny, but the last three times I have seen the Canadiens and the Rangers live and in person, the final score has been 1-0.

The last game of the regular season last year in Montreal, the Canadiens won in OT as Brian Gionta beat Cam Talbot on a Penalty Shot. Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championship at the Garden; Dominic Moore scored the only goal and then this game on Thursday evening. All three were 1-0 games.

Scoring:

MON: Max Pacioretty (22), Assisted by Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin

Goalie Stats:

Carey Price: 24 saves on 24 shots for a SV% of 1.000

Henrik Lundqvist: 25 saves on 26 shots for a SV% of .962

Team Stats                              MON                                       NYR

Power Play                              0 for 3                           0 for 2

Shots on Goal                         26                                  24

Hits                                         14                                  29

Face Off Wins                        30                                  29

3 Stars of the Game:

3^rd Star: Max Pacioretty: 1 Goal

2^nd Star: Henrik Lundqvist: 25 Saves on 26 Shots for a SV% of .962

1^st Star: Carey Price: 24 Saves on 24 Shots for a SV% of 1.000

Broadway Bits:

With this game in the books, the Rangers ranked 4^th in the NHL in goals against per game with (2.33) and were tied for 1^st in the NHL in goals against (107) for 2014-15.

The Rangers have allowed one goal or less in nine of their last 20 games and lead the NHL in games with one goal or less allowed (47) since the start of the 2013-14 season.

The Rangers went 3 for 3 on the Penalty Kill

Dan Girardi led all skaters with seven hits in the game. He leads the Rangers in average ice time (23:24), hits (133) and blocked shots (100).

Ryan McDonagh led all skaters with four blocked shots and I the 25 games he has played this season, he has 55.