The New York Rangers are in Boston tonight to take on the Bruins without two, top-four defensemen, Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren. By no means can a result tell us what would happen if these teams won a couple of series and met in the Eastern Conference Final, but some notes will be well worth taken on how these teams’ players, especially New York’s, perform in elevated positions, and how guys not typically in the lineup fare.
AI image by Daryl Vautour
Jonathan Quick led the Rangers onto TD Garden ice for warmups, while Jeremy Swayman is in net for the Bruins.
FIRST PERIOD
Brad Marchand picked off by Alexis Lafreniere, and Brandon Carlo goes for stickwork 50 seconds in. (high-sticking PIM)
Rangers to the powerplay: Charlie McAvoy gives up the body to swat an aerial puck knowing Chris Kreider is going to put him on the ice.
Bruins get the kill but continue having problems with clean zone exits.
Finally, they get it deep and Adam Fox gets a roughing minor at the 6:00 mark. Bruins to the powerplay: Bruins get a chance off the rush, Pastrnak can’t quite corral the pass. Then Marchand makes a second effort to win a battle in the circle and the Bruins get a flurry in tight that Quick smothers.
Vinnie Trocheck has a partial 2-on-1 and the Bruins give shot, he looks like going to take it and passes last moment. No connection.
The penalty expires, but Jake DeBrusk cleans up the chaos as Quick is down, 1-0 Bruins at 8:04.
Trocheck is stationed for a goalmouth pass and has an open side, but the puck glances off his stick and slides wide of the right post. 7:39 left in the first, Bruins 1-0.
Matt Grzelcyk, following the play to the net, recovers possession behind the net and centers to Marchand – save Quick. Bruins’ best chance since DeBrusk’s goal.
Pavel Zacha’s double pivot lost Barclay Goodrow, and Pastrnak got a one-timer out of it. Save Quick.
It’s a trip on Kreider with 4:04 left in the first period. Boston to the powerplay:
Bruins come on strong late, still have trouble getting out of their zone but, when bottled, limit clean looks at Swayman. If Trocheck converts, different conversation.
Shots for the first period: 15-9 Bruins.
SECOND PERIOD
Artemi Panarin ties it at 7:58.
Fox goes to the box for the second time, this time for high-sticking Justin Brazeau at 17:03. Bruins to the powerplay in a 1-1 game late in the second…
Kreider short-handed bid tipped over the net.
Rangers get the kill.
DeBrusk dives to block a goalmouth pass and the puck goes off his body and in, 2-1 Rangers with 34.7 seconds left in the period. Credit for the goal to Panarin, who almost scores a natural hat trick when his one-timer in the final minute rings off the near post and out the other side behind Swayman.
Second period ends with a thud.
Shots after 2: NYR 22-20.
THIRD PERIOD
Brazeau ties it at the goalmouth at 3:17, 2-2. Rangers staff looks over the tablets for goalie interference but does not challenge.
Fox goes short-side high to beat Swayman 40 seconds later and it’s 3-2 Rangers. Sharp angle, great shot from a great talent but another goal Swayman will put on himself.
Big save and a second rebound save by Swayman on Trocheck, who again was in prime position but denied, this time not of his own doing. The stops, coming with 11:15 remaining in regulation, could factor.
Pastrnak chases the dump and hurls himself into Zac Jones, fortunate not to hurt himself, gets up and rifles a one-timer wide.
The Bruins are forechecking like they rarely do, puck hunting and finishing without applying the brakes. You’d think this was a playoff elimination game they were losing.
Bruins recover another dump and cycle out to Marchand – save Quick.
Celine Dion was just named Fan of the Game but not delivered the traditional Sal’s Pizza. Maybe Sal’s does sushi?
We’re down to 3:49 to go in regulation.
Mika Zibanejad scores with 2:03 into the open net vacated by Swayman for a sixth attacker. 4-2 Rangers.
Drive safely.
Rink Rap with Mick Colageo 