Brad Richards scored 7:56 into the second period to give New York the lead and Henrik Lundqvist stonewalled the Pittsburgh Penguins as the Rangers completed the comeback to win in Game 7 at Consol Energy Center.
The Penguins, who have seen the other team celebrate on their home ice in Game 7’s three out of the last five years, failed to close out a 3-1 series lead which may lead to the dismissal of head coach Dan Bylsma.
Consol Energy Center was electric before the game even started. Jeff Jimerson led the crowd in singing the anthem and the atmosphere was the best the five year old arena had ever seen.
After a steady dose of scoring chances from the Penguins, the Rangers got on the board first.
Matt Niskanen’s shot from the point was blocked by Brian Boyle and led to an odd-man rush the other way. Boyle eventually got a return pass from Dominic Moore and deposited a goal between the five-hole of Marc-Andre Fleury.
Jussi Jokinen was able to break Henrik Lundqvist 4:15 into the second period with his seventh goal of the playoffs. Olli Maatta’s screened shot from the left point was kicked out by Lundqvist right to Jokinen who had to corral the puck before firing it into the wide open net.
The Rangers answered with a power play goal less than four minutes later to take the lead. Marty St. Louis backhanded a pass in front to Richards who beat Fleury with a wrist shot stick-side.
Pittsburgh responded in the third by throwing everything they had at Henrik Lundqvist but the Swedish net-minder stopped all 13 shots in the final frame.
The Penguins pulled the goalie with less than two minutes remaining in the game but failed to register any shots.
New York will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the winner of Boston and Montreal. Meanwhile, the Penguins will have a long offseason that will surely be filled with changes.
Three Stars
- Henrik Lundqvist
- Brad Richards
- Jussi Jokinen
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
