The New York Rangers are in another 2-0 hole after losing Game 2 to the Boston Bruins on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden and with the series shifting back to Madison Square Garden the team will need to do exactly what it did in the previous series against the Washington Capitals and win both games at home.
Henrik Lundqvist was not at his best while making 27 saves in the game, although the Rangers defense did not do him any favors as the Bruins were able to attack him on a consistent basis. For the Rangers to turn things around over the next two games he will need to play like he did in the final two games against the Capitals when he posted back to back shutouts to send the team into the second round. Both Ryan Callahan and Rick Nash scored goals for the Rangers and one of the bright spots they can take from the game is Nash getting on the board with his first playoff goal in what could be the first of many.
Both Brad Richards and Nash need to step up in the series after being held in check during the Capitals series and despite the 5-2 loss that could be something the Rangers can build on. Brad Marchand scored for the second time in as many games, while Milan Lucic also added a goal. The Rangers tied the game at 1-1 and 2-2, but once the Bruins took the lead they never looked back and they scored two goals in both the second and third periods. Tuukka Rask has been solid for the Bruins all postseason and he was at it again on Sunday, making 35 saves in the victory.
The Rangers have five power play chances and couldn't convert, while the Bruins had one in the game and were outshot 37-32 overall in the matchup. Johnny Boychuk was the one who put the Bruins ahead in the second and Lundqvist gave up five goals for the first time in over 150 games and now the Rangers must regroup to stay alive in the series and not go down 3-0, which could be impossible to overcome. Torey Krug scored for the second straight game and now the Rangers will be fully on the defensive while Boston can play more relaxed in Game 3 at MSG.
The Penguins and Senators played a marathon Game 2, as Pittsburgh fell in overtime to Ottawa to even the series at 1-1 as it shifts to Canada. The senators came back from a 1-0 deficit in the series and the game and got 49 saves from Craig Anderson in the win, while Tomas Vokoun had 46 saves in the defeat for Pittsburgh. The team now will try to take a 2-1 advantage in Game 3 coming up this week.
