The New York Rangers are in a familiar place being down 2-0 in their series to the Boston Bruins, but it isn't a place they like as they just had the same hole against the Washington Capitals, meaning they know that Game 3 at home is a must win at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
Nash was one of the top players for the Rangers all season on offense after coming over from the Blue Jackets, but he didn't get his first playoff goal until Sunday in the 5-2 loss against the Bruins and if he doesn't turn things around, the team could get swept out. Nash had 42 points and 21 goals during the season, but he has basically been a non-factor in the playoffs, giving fellow Blue Jacket (who was acquired in the Gaborik deal) Derek Brassard a chance to shine.
Both Nash and Brad Richards need to step up for the Rangers, or they could go down 3-0 and have basically no chance to come back. The team went to overtime in Game 1 with the Bruins but ended up losing and now they are in a tough spot down 2-0 in the series. Ryan Callahan scored his second goal of the playoffs, but the captain must play better to on Tuesday night to keep things alive for the Rangers.
The Bruins have been excellent in the playoffs and Toma Vokoun was fantastic while stopping 35 shots against Henrik Lundqvist, who dealt with a sore shoulder and had 27 saves in the loss, his first time giving up more than four goals in over 150 games. The Bruins got another goal from Brad Marchand as well as from Milan Lucic and if they keep scoring how they have been, the Rangers will be finished.
Lundqvist said that he will be fine and playing through injury won't be a problem, but if he is not as his best, the Rangers will have a hard time winning the series at all. Games 3 and 4 of the last series were won by the Rangers 4-3 against the Capitals and they will need to repeat that perfornace again to get back into the series. Lundqvist finished the Caps series with two straight shutouts, but he has allowed eight goals since then and the Rangers will need to shut down the Bruins attack to win on Tuesday night to get back into the series.
