Written by Allan Kreda at New York Times.com
Turning the emotional page heading into a fresh playoff series would not take the Rangers long, Coach Alain Vigneault insisted before the puck dropped against the Ottawa Senators to start Round 2 on Thursday night.
He said the new wave of verve had been detected “probably two practices ago.”
“We are focusing on what we needed to do against a really good team,” Vigneault added. “We’re ready for the challenge.”
If anyone would be ready for the Senators, it was goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who returned to sterling postseason form in the Rangers’ gutsy six-game conquest of the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.
Lundqvist had to be ready in the first 20 minutes, making 21 saves to keep the game scoreless. But his 41 stops over all — many of them gymnastic and acrobatic — were not enough. Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson scored a seeing-eye goal with 4 minutes 11 seconds remaining in the third period to lift Ottawa to a 2-1 victory in Game 1.
It was the first goal of the playoffs for Karlsson, who led the Senators in points this season. He shot the puck at an impossible angle along the goal line, and it banked off Lundqvist into the net.
“He’s a skill player who became a star, and now he’s a winner,” Senators Coach Guy Boucher said. “I’d like to tell you I’m surprised, but it’s every day. That’s what great players do. He’s been showing that all year long.”
Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson made 34 saves. Game 2 is Saturday afternoon.
Karlsson’s goal sent the Canadian Tire Centre crowd into a frenzy. The fans feverishly waved white towels with the words “All In” emblazoned in red.
To continue reading this article, click here.
