The Rangers continue to win playoff games while getting badly outshot by their opponents, but how long can that really last?
A reasonable question heading into Game 4 of the Rangers-Panthers series is this; how long can the Blueshirts continue winning by playing badly?
So far, so good.
They lead the series two games to one while being outplayed in virtually every department but goaltending.
And, yes, Igor Shesterkin can continue carrying his hockey club as long as Lady Luck keeps smiling on him.
Or, as long as the Panthers go nuts trying to figure out why they're not winning while outplaying the Invaders From The North.
It's well and good that grunts such as Barclay Goodrow are chipping in beyond expectations. But this topsy-turvy situation cannot be expected to continue.
No less worrisome has been the deterioration of Jacob Trouba's game. He took three penalties – which was bad enough – but also looked quasi-lost at his defense position. As a captain, he did not play as a captain should.
And while he was at it, Trouba brought down partner K'Andre Miller's game. Matter of fact, Miller looked so bad in the eyes of ex-Ranger Ron Duguay that Doogie wants to see Zac Jones activated. (Something I already had suggested here.)
Then again, there seems to be a slight whiff of panic among the Rangers critics. We're talking about a well-balanced squad with an imperfection here and there; but nothing to get one's vowels in an uproar about when you're leading the series.
Why worry when New York owns the best player in the playoffs and very likely the leader in Conn Smythe Trophy talk. And you MUST know who I'm talking about – and not in Russian either.
Comrade Shesterkin continues making miracles the same way that the mythical Rumplestiltskin wove straw into gold!
At about 11 p.m. or so tonight you'll be hearing in the distance The Maven warbling, "It's over; all over!"
And you must know about which team I sing!