New York Rangers Eliminated By Pittsburgh Penguins In Game 5

The New York Rangers season came to an end Saturday afternoon, as the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated them with a 6-3 Game 5 victory.

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The New York Rangers put up more of a fight in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins than they did in Game 4, but the result was the same as the Penguins picked up a 6-3 victory. The loss ends the Rangers season, as the Penguins will advance in the NHL Playoffs to the second round to take on either the Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers.

The Rangers got off to a hot start this afternoon, as they came out fighting for their playoff lives. The Rangers were extremely aggressive right from the first puck drop and it paid off with the first goal of the game. On a shot from Dan Girardi at the top of the zone, Rick Nash was able to get a deflection and get the puck pas Matt Murray.

It was the perfect start for the Rangers, as their offense was abysmal against Murray in Game 4, getting shutout and putting very little pressure on the rookie. The lead would not last very long though, as the Penguins would tie the game up about 8:48 later, as former Ranger winger Carl Hagelin scored his first goal of the series to even the score up at one.

That would start off a scoring barrage, as three goals were scored in less than two mintes. Hagelin’s was the first, but the Rangers quickly regained the lead. On a pass that no one could really locate, and then was kicked in past Murray by Patric Hornqvist, Dominic Moore was credited with the second Rangers goal of the afternoon, and his first of the series.

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That goal game 45 seconds after Hagelin tied the game the first time. 1:04 after Moore’s goal, the Penguins would once again tie things up. This time it was Phil Kessell with the equalizer, scoring his third goal of the series as the Penguins took advantage of a Brady Skjei boarding penalty.

It was a wild first period in Game 5, and the scoring would continue in the second period. Unfortunately for the Rangers, it was the Penguins doing it all. The Penguins blew the game open in the second period, as they scored four goals to take a commanding 6-2 lead and basically put the Rangers away.

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Bryan Rust got the scoring started, netting his first goal of the series with 5:21 gone in the period. Just a little over four minutes late, Matt Cullen scored his second goal of the series, which proved to the second game winner he would have in the series. Conor Sheary would score his second goal in as many games for the third, while Rust capped off the scoring with his second goal of the game on a one-timer from Evgeni Malkin.

That ended the afternoon for Henrik Lundqvist, who was pulled after the conclusion of the second period. While Lundqvist didn’t get much help from his defense at times, he was not very strong in the net either. He gave up six goals with 17 saves, making it two straight games he didn’t finish as he was pulled in favor of backup Antti Raanta.

Murray was strong for the Penguins once again, as he settled down after the early onslaught. He gave up a goal to Chris Kreider while the Rangers were on the power play in the third period, but still had a solid stat line with 38 saves in the game.

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This is a disappointing end to the season for the Rangers, as they were embarrassed the final two games of the series by the Penguins. It will be the start of what will be a long offseason for the Rangers, as they have a number of areas to address.