I'm never overly critical of the Rangers but tonight's game was just downright embarrassing. Sure it helped the Caps that they were afforded the bounces, particularly on Chimera's goal, but you cannot win playoff games by sleepwalking for 59 minutes. The Rangers showed zero killer instinct and no willingness to push the envelope and impose their will on the Caps. The fact that the Caps have outplayed the Rangers since Game 4, its a borderline miracle that this series is going 7 games.
Stralman in particular was abused tonight by Chimera, who had no answer for his speed along the boards, Del Zotto failing to keep the puck in the offensive zone on numerous occasions, Torts' lineup decisions outside of his top line were just brutal and I was critical of them even before Game 5. Kreider's bad Game 4 has cost him a boat-load of ice time in these past 2 games and the Rangers could've used him, especially 2 goals down and attempt to generate some kind of offense outside of the top line. Kreider TOI tonight: 6 mins and 6 seconds. If the Rangers had a best forward tonight, it was John Mitchell, who has become more visible in Kreider's absence.
The Rangers owe it to themselves to play a good 60 minute game we haven't seen them play since Game 1 of this series. If it doesn't show up, I'm going to be talking draft and July 1st soon. The Rangers do play their best with there backs against the wall and I'm going to expect nothing different Saturday night.
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