Much like Game 3, the New York Rangers come out and destroy the Ottawa Senators 4-1 at MSG. Oscar Lindberg nets two goals. 

  • New York Rangers (2-2)
  • Ottawa Senators (2-2)
  • Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2
  • 4-1 Final Box Score
  • Madison Square Garden NY, NY
Well, John Amirante, you better keep your schedule clear because the New York Rangers came out absolutely flying again in Game 4.

The Ottawa Senators, at this point, look defeated. They have no push back, they have injuries to key players and Craig Anderson seems to have returned back to Earth. The Rangers were crisp again with their passing, had speed through the neutral zone and hard on the forecheck and down below the goal line.

Two of season scapegoats got the Rangers going to start the game. Kevin Hayes crossed the offensive blue line, delayed a bit, and caught a streaking Nick Holden on the left wing side who tucked a pretty goal to the short side of Anderson to open the scoring:

The Rangers controlled the first, throwing 11 shots on net while limiting the Sens to seven shots, most from outside the scoring areas.

The Rangers have found a way to put together some seriously consistent efforts for a full 60 minutes. Something that definitely plagued them in the regular season.

Tanner Glass, who’s been more than noticeable in his two games since his return to the lineup, played a major role in both the fourth line goals tonight. Glass makes a great shot block on Ben Harpur‘s point shot to spring Michael Grabner and Oscar Lindberg on a rare 2-on-0. Grabner made a nice pass (since he can’t score on breakaways anymore) and Lindberg slammed it home to provide New York the 2-0 lead:

Lindberg and Glass again hooked up later in the second frame, this time with a little help from new line mate JT Miller. Glass got in on the forecheck, won a battle down low and Lindberg threw one on net from the half way that seemed to fool Anderson. Coaches will always tell players to throw it on the net and usually good things will happen.

Boy, talk about depth and offense on all four lines. Something that every coach dreams about.

To start things in the third, the Sens were a much different looking team. Craig Anderson was benched for Mike Condon and coach Guy Boucher benched Erik Karlsson, again he seems to be nursing a big time injury.

The big guy, Chris Kreider, got the monkey off his back with his power play tally midway through the third. Derek Stepan made a risky saucer at the blue line to Ryan McDonagh who one timed the puck right on net. Kreids beat Dion Phaneuf and swiped home the back hand rebound.

With the new fourth line rolling, if this team can find more offense from guys like Kreider and Grabner, things could really start looking up. Again another night off basically for Lundqvist. He was rarely tested tonight, and if not for a great shot by Kyle Turris, he would’ve recorded his 11th playoff shutout.

This game didn’t really end pretty and I’m pretty happy we had Tanner Glass in the lineup to shore this up. Again, much better than sending Zucc out there or Buchenevich.

Things to keep an eye on as we move on:

  • Erik Karlsson‘s injury status
  • The physicality expected for Game 5
  • How will Craig Anderson react?

We’ll see you all Saturday afternoon, 3 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre.