Rangers lead by a goal after two

October 4, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

A much better period by the Rangers in the second controlling play against the Lightning to take a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes.

They played much better in all facets taking away the neutral zone and the Bolts’ space which resulted in a 16-3 SOG edge and three more power plays. They’re 0-for-5 but have had some quality chances including a great individual effort by Naslund going around two Tampa players before deking Smith with the backhand stuff off the post. Too bad he didn’t score there cause that would’ve been a great way to start the scoring in 2008-09.

Speaking of the veteran Swede, he looked extremely good in that stanza and got rewarded with the season’s first goal when he took a Gomez pass on the right wing and wristed one past Smith at 18:08. The play was a great one all around started by Redden in his end winning a puck battle along the boards before getting it out. Gomez and Naslund did the rest.

Other stuff:

-Korpikoski, Callahan and Prucha continue to look good.

-Dubinsky’s line with Zherdev and Dawes was more noticeable generating chances on the cycle. Zherdev was good defensively and even had a steal off a turnover forcing Smith to make a strong stop.

-Rozsival is shooting the puck and has 4 shots after two stanzas.

-I still don’t like Kalinin in his end but he did make a good defensive play drawing a power play. His offensive ability seems alright as he jumped into the play a few times getting opportunities.

-Staal was strong defensively.

-Orr, a surprise start had a great chance off hustle at the end of a shift going around O’Brien but was stopped by Smith.

-Stamkos looks good for his first game for Tampa. He’s got great wheels, a laser of a shot and just is around the puck.

-St. Louis has been Tampa’s best player behind Smith. He’s so dangerous using his small frame to get one of the only good chances for his team in the second.

-Lecavalier was good in the first getting chances but more held in check that period.

-The MSG audio has been shaky but at least the feed didn’t go out yet.

SOG thru 2 periods:

NYR-30 TB-11

Third is coming on. The Pens and Sens start up in Stockholm at The Globe in a few minutes.

Be back after.