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Hartnett: Rangers Show They're Primed For Deep Run In Series-Opening Win

By Sean Hartnett
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The Rangers showed exactly why they're primed for a deep playoff run throughout their 2-1 series-opening victory over the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. They are faster, stronger and deeper than the injury-depleted Penguins.

When they have a lead, the Blueshirts knuckle down. They are the masters of closing out victories.

"We've been in those situations before, it's a matter of not straying away from your structure, not straying away from our strengths," captain Ryan McDonagh said. "We know that we're a good skating team. If we can get out of our zone clean and get through the neutral zone, we can wear teams down in the offensive zone. I thought we did a good job, even with the one goal lead there in the third, playing well in the offensive zone, and spending some time there."

When leading after two periods, the Rangers have won 37 of 38 regular-season and playoff games this season. Alternate captain Derek Stepan was satisfied with the Rangers' disciplined approach.

"We did a really good job of puck management, of managing the puck all night, making sure we chipped the pucks in, and forechecking," Stepan said.

The Rangers matched the energy of the roaring Garden crowd. It only took 28 seconds for go-to playoff performer Derick Brassard to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Brassard pounced on a rebounded Rick Nash shot to send the Garden into a frenzy.

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Rangers - Game One
Derick Brassard celebrates his goal, 28 seconds into the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2015. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

"I think we controlled the momentum of the game pretty much the whole time," Brassard said. "Especially in the second period, even after they score their goal, I think we used our speed. We cycled the puck, we were playing around their net I think for a big part of the game. That's what we need to do."

Since 2013, Brassard leads all Rangers with 25 playoff points, good for sixth-highest among all NHL centers over that span. Brassard is a Pens killer. He has recorded a point in all five regular-season and playoff games against Pittsburgh.

RANGERS SHUT DOWN CROSBY AND MALKIN

Pittsburgh's star duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were held invisible for much of Game 1, thanks to McDonagh, Girardi, Staal & Co., providing them with very little space to work with.

"If we can shut them down, we have a lot better chance of winning," goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said. "They definitely have other players that can step up, but when you have two of the best players in the world, of course, they're going to play a big part."

Crosby finished the game with only one shot in 19:11 TOI. He was a minus-1. Malkin was limited to two shots in 17:31 TOI. Crosby has just one goal in his last 19 playoff games and he's managed three points in last eight postseason games -- all against the Rangers. He admitted that the Penguins struggled because of the Rangers dominating offensive zone time.

"Their best defense was puck possession and holding onto it in our end," Crosby said of the Rangers. "Once we did have possession down there, I don't think we were able to generate. It wasn't enough."

FOURTH LINE SHINES; CUT GLASS SOME SLACK

Successful playoff teams are able to roll four effective lines. For a large chunk of the regular season, the Rangers' fourth line was rendered ineffective by the possession deficiencies and positional mistakes of maligned winger Tanner Glass. When Glass was at his worst, the fourth line was pinned in the defensive zone for extended spells.

It's time to cut Glass some slack. In the final quarter of the regular season, Glass' blemishes became less and less apparent. The 31-year-old will never become the darling of those who worship advanced statistics. Advanced stats are a decent guide, but they aren't everything. It's only part of the recipe when it comes to talent evaluation.

Most importantly, Glass is passing the eye test. He's playing effective, physical hockey and not taking undisciplined penalties. In Game 1, the fourth line of Glass, Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast did an excellent job of providing physicality and energy.

"Going forward, they are going to be a big part of our team," Stepan said. "We need them to play well."

GIRARDI LEAVES IN THIRD PERIOD, SEES DENTIST

After being struck in the face by a deflected shot, heart-and-soul defenseman Dan Girardi left the ice at 10:31 of the third period and did not return for the remainder of the contest. Following the game, head coach Alain Vigneault said that Girardi was being seen by the team dentist and did not have a further update.

"The only thing I heard after the game was that the dentist was looking at him and that's the only update I have," Vigneault said.

The Rangers practice at noon Friday. Whether or not Girardi is able to practice, it would take something very serious for the ironman defenseman to miss Game 2.

Follow Sean on Twitter – @HartnettHockey.

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