New York Rangers

The New York Rangers last made the playoffs in 2017, and it certainly seems like they are trying to cram everything they've missed about playoff hockey over ...

- Game 3 is a game that will be frustrating until the puck drops on Monday night. But if you allow me to be a bit optimistic, because surely that won’t come to bite me in the ass, I don’t think Shesterkin or the power play will be as “bad” in Game 4 as they collectively were in Game 3. - We’ve seen Igor rebound from losses and poor performances all season long, and he had a strong showing in Game 2 after a tough loss in Game 1. - They went to the power play toward the end of the third, but their first unit was unable to generate anything of note. - Then there were two empty-net goals, the first of which was more egregious because it came after the Blueshirts did nothing off a faceoff win following a timeout. - The Penguins’ second goal was a bit annoying given how it squeaked through, but it is hard to get overly upset over power play goals. And I hope Zac Jones is one of them. Igor got pulled, and the power play went 0 for 3. - Luckily the Rangers responded, and it was really great to see Kaapo Kakko get his first playoff goal. And just when the momentum was all on New York’s side, the Penguins started getting it back. - When laid out like that, it’s easy to read that and go... the Rangers lost Game 3.