Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances It loomed as an easy Blueshirt victory. The regal Rangers against the ragtag Penguins. But on this night the mighty fell, 5-2 , last night at The Garden -- the last two goals courtesy of two empty-netters. Pitt's checking was better, shooting more accurate and Igor Shesterkin looked terribly ordinary throughout the affair. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NDQzNjY3NjU2MTg5NDM4/usatsi_22921408.jpg] The Penguins put a choke hold on the Rangers early in the first period and wouldn't let go. Igor Shesterkin had every look of someone who never even heard of the Vezina Trophy. First it was Bryan Rust scoring his 25th goal of the season only 18 second in -- from Sidney Crosby and Reilly Smith. Then, Crosby tipped home his second point of the night and the Blueshirts were behind 2-0. But that was a mere first period with Pittsburgh leading by 2-0 and plenty of hockey ahead. As for the middle frame it was all Alex Nedeljkovic stealing the show in goal for the visitors. He could have given Iggie a few goalkeeping lessons. The Rangers occasional ace looked like he was dreaming of a summer vacation as the Pens penetrated. But with 7:19 left in the second, it still was 2-0 for Pitt and the crowd -- when not showing their jerseys to the MSG cameras -- proved downright frustrated by the local heroes. A late Rangers penalty was killed when Shesterkin bailed out his shaky defense and that included captain Jacob Trouba who seemed lost in the stars instead of leading the comeback. He wound up in one skirmish that proved absolutely nothing after a Crosby hard hit. But there was plenty of time for a comeback and a few Blueshirt thrusts were threatening but with a noticeable lack of accuracy. As the second period wound down, Pittsburgh went into a defensive shell. A second penalty to Erik Karlsson with 2:01 left gave New York another chance. But the Penguins tightened up in time and another power play went for naught. For two-thirds of the game the Pittsburghers nursed a 2-0 lead and protected it with the exceptional goaltending of Alex Nedeljkovic. It was then that Emil Bemstrom seemed to have put the game away at 3-0. But Kaapo Kakko beat alert Alex at 10:42 and, suddenly, the Rangers and the Garden erupted like a thunderclap. With 8:36 remaining the Rangers seemed capable of a comeback. But with 6:02 left the Blueshirts were hit with a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty; a major blunder at a critical time. New York survived the assault whereupon Jack Roslovic came through to make it 3-2 game with three and change remaining and The Garden going absolutely nuts. But the decibel count didn't help. With Shesterkin pulled for an extra skater. Brian Rust found the empty net as did Sidney Crosby and David beat Goliath in the end. This unexpected vulnerability of the Seventh Avenue Skaters will be cause for concern if it continues. Ironically, pre-game ceremonies honoring Jonathan Quick for becoming the most winning American-born NHL goalie made a point. Quick may be more reliable than erratic Igor. Had Quick been in goal against Pittsburgh, The Maven believes that it would be two points for the Rangers! Such is life for Goliath!
