Bruins Defeated Rangers 2-1 at TD Garden Sunday as Playoff Hopes Slip Away

The New York Rangers lost 2-1 in Boston yesterday in a game that was clearly a must win. The Blueshirts power play was non existent and simply could not score. Boston goalie Tuukka Rask stopped 23 shots on goal, mostly from the sides. The Rangers could not get quality scoring chances and let the game be taken to them. The Bruins were more physical and dictated play. Henrik Lundqvist was very good in goal again for New York stopping 29 of 31 shots and came up big by stopping Daniel Paille’s penalty shot late in the 2nd period. This was another game that Lundqvist should have earned the win but the offense could not score. The worst thing happened late in the 2nd period when Ryan Callahan collided with big Zdeno Chara on an icing play. Callahan the second leading scorer on the team missed the entire 3rd period. There is no news yet on his status. Sean Avery had a large target on his back and was getting knocked around pretty good along the boards.

Vinny Prospal as reported by nhl.com:

"Sure, this was a team that we're chasing and we needed those points," forward Vinny Prospal said. "It's a big loss for us, but, on the other hand, we can't just say it's over."

Let me be the first to say it’s over. While watching the game my Wife said “They don’t deserve to play in the playoffs” and She’s right. At 8:30 in the 2nd period Chara committed a high sticking double minor on Marian Gaborik. The Blueshirts had no shots on goal, just a few blocked shots in front and that hurt most. At 16:56 of the 3rd period Michal Del Zotto scored the lone Ranger goal to avoid the shutout.

Lundqvist as reported on nhl.com:

"It's been an effort the past few weeks to try to stay positive," Lundqvist said.

I know Henrik’s speaking for the team but the same is felt by the fans. One positive thing was seeing captain Chris Drury have 5 shots on goal. The three stars of the game, all Bruins were: Tuukka Rask, Steve Begin and Vladimir Sobotka.