Well the New York Rangers will have their work cut out for them if they are able to surpass the offensive talented Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, especially after the grinding seven game series against the Flyers. However, the Rangers do have one trump card in their hands, and that is goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
With the New York Ranger power play being terrible in these playoffs, not getting many scoring chances and giving up shorthanded rushes, Lundqvist has always been there to save the day. Hank is posting a 2.07 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, which are outstanding numbers in any league, but has a playoff record of 5-4 because the lack of offensive support for the annual Vezina Trophy worthy goaltender.
So far in the series against Pittsburgh, two games, "King" Henrik has made 36 and 34 saves respectively only allowing two goals in each of those contests. The Rangers need to start to find ways to put pucks in the net to support their goalie, who is giving the Rangers chances to finish games in the win column every single night.
As addressed briefly earlier, the Rangers are struggling putting pucks in the net, especially from their power play and big gun Rick Nash. Their power play has hit just three times out of 37 attempts, or at a 8.1% success rate. You can't get very far in the playoffs if you aren't scoring with the extra man.
Now for the struggles of superstar power forward Rick Nash not being able to find the net. Going into tonight, Nash lead the NHL during the playoffs in shots on goal with 37, but has yet to find the twine. One can only think that he will break through soon and open the floodgates, but will it be too little too late against the offensive powerhouse Penguins? Maybe, but if Sidney Crosby ends his goal scoring troubles before Nash, and the rest of the Rangers are able to find the net more, this series doesn't go more than five games unless Hank is able to steal the Rangers some victories.
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