B’s Win Game 3, Push Rangers To Brink

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

If that was the Rangers' best shot, then this series is over.

The Boston Bruins entered Madison Square Garden in New York Tuesday night fully expecting to see the Rangers at their best. After dropping the first two games of the series in Boston, the thought was that a return to New York would bring out the best in the Rangers. If, indeed, that was their best, then one can draw only one of two conclusions from game 3: a.) either the Rangers just aren't that good or b.) they have tuned out their loud mouthed coach John Tortorella.

In either case, it would appear that Bruins fans can get ready for and Eastern Conference Finals match-up, most likely with Pittsburgh because this Rangers team would seem to have little hope of coming back from a 3-0 series deficit.

Boston was the better team from the opening faceoff when they managed to keep the puck in the Rangers' zone for more than a minute to start the game. The B's had little trouble clearing their own zone or entering the Rangers zone. Were it for goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, Boston likely would have won the game going away.

After a scoreless first period, the Rangers opened the scoring in the second when Taylor Pratt tipped Ryan McDonagh's shot in for a 1-0 lead at 3:53.

That would remain the score after two despite a relentless Boston attack that saw the Bruins outshoot the Rangers 14-5 in the period. Lundqvist was immense between the pipes.

But early in the third, Johnny Boychuck's slapper from the top of the right circle beat Lundqvist to tie the game 1-1.

Then, late in the third, Danielle Paille tipped in a bouncing puck past Lundqvist for the eventual game-winner.

NOTES:

-Claude Julien and the Boston bench was furious at a missed call in the first period that would have resulted in a 4-minute penalty on Ryan Callahan. Callahan's high stick cut the face of captain Zdeno Chara drawing blood which, by rule, shout have been a 4-minute penalty on Callahan. No call was made despite the blood dripping from Chara's face.

-To make matters worse, Boston did not have a single power play opportunity all night. The Rangers had two but their anemic power play went 0-2.

-Boston's 4th line has been a nightmare for the Rangers. Daniel Paille scored the game-winner with less than 4 minutes to play in the third and Boychuck's goal also came when the 4th line was on the ice. Shawn Thornton's presence on that line has been gigantic for the B's.

-Boston's trio of rookie defensemen continued to be a big presence for the Bruins as Torey Krug, Douggie Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski all played well.

-The B's can complete the sweep of the Rangers Thursday night when they play game 4 at Madison Square Garden.