Game 1: and it continues…
Game 1 of Round 2 continued last night as the Penguins took on the Rangers at home and the Sharks hosted the Stars. Both games were tight and proved to be monumental in terms of momentum. The Pens came from behind to lead the series 1-0. The Stars won in OT to lead their series 1-0. These are two instances in which the Game 1 win will prove effective for both winning teams.
1. Penguins vs Rangers (East)—I hope hockey fans everywhere caught the amazing Game 1 between the Rangers and Penguins. After being up 3-0, the Rangers lost the lead (and the game) to the Pens who won with a score of 5-4. To be sure, I in no way would endorse either team because I am a fan of neither. Animosity runs more so with the Pens, but who could blame me—I grew up in Capitals country. However, as a hockey fan, I can recognize talent and solid game play when I see it. Dare I say, I even got excited watching the Pens come from behind. I want to see the Pens represent the East in the Stanley Cup game, so maybe that has something to do with it. It’s hard to admit that I would cheer for them for any other reason than that.
The first period left a lot to be desired with the lone goal being scored by Martin Straka, assisted by Pittsburgh-fan hated, Jaromir Jagr. Momentum picked up for the Rangers in the second as goals were scored by Chris Drury and Sean Avery minutes into the period (both assisted by Marc Staal). The Pens, determined to get back in the game, faced a deficit they weren’t accustomed to. However, Jarkko Rutou and Pascal Dubois scored within 19 seconds of each other, minimizing the Rangers’ lead to one. In the third, the Pens took the lead with goals by Marian Hossa and Petr Sykora after only five minutes into the period. Relentlessly, the Rangers scored another. With the help of Jagr (once again), it was Scott Gomez who found the net to tie the game. With 1 min and 41 seconds remaining it was the dynamic duo of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby that won the game for the Pens. These two were going to be tough to contend with, and they proved that with Malkin’s late third period, game-winning goal.
The veterans of the Rangers let the early lead get the best of them, while the newbies from the Pens showed what a true playoff team can do with a deficit. Feeling rather comfortable at home, the Pens might not own in Game 2, but the will definitely win it.
2. Stars vs Sharks (West)—The Shark Tank was looking to devour their visitors. While it looked like a possibility at first, the game just didn’t pan out in the Sharks favor. If there is one thing the Sharks should have learned from the series against the Flames, it’s underestimating the opponent—even at home.
Joe Thorton made his presence known with an assist in the first goal of the game to Milan Michalek, but failed to do much after that. The Stars answered with a goal to tie it by Mike Modana and another goal for the lead by the star of the game, Brenden Morrow. In the third, Jonathon Cheechoo answered to tie up the game at 2-all. Less than five minutes into OT, Morrow once again found the back of the net to solidify the win for the Stars and end the game.
Mike Ribiero is as fierce as Stars fans had hoped and Sharks fans had feared. He proved to be detrimental in the Stars win, as he assisted two of the three goals scored. What’s more, Morrow stepped up with two pivotal goals for the Sharks. Marty Turco might have let two by, but he managed 25 saves for the Stars. Without Thorton becoming a much more dominant force (and with Ribiero being all over the puck), the Sharks are going to struggle to put much pass Turco. Game 2 will once again go to the Stars.
All Game 2’s will be reported together. As such—the Avalanche and Red Wings already played their Game 2, but look for Canadiens vs Flyers tonight at 7 p.m. on VS (Versus), Pens vs Rangers Sunday at 2 p.m. on NBC, and Stars vs Sharks Sunday at 9 p.m. on VS (Versus).
Tags: NHL, Penguins, Rangers, Stars, Sharks, round, two, NHL playoffs, Round two, Playoffs, Game one, Game, One
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