Lundqvist & Tanner Glass Lead The Rangers To Crucial Game 1 Win

Now THAT’S how you kick off a first round upset!

Plenty of series left, but this was a textbook Rangers road victory. They withstood everything the Habs had to offer – or should I say, HANK withstood it – in the first 20. Outshot 16-5 is a real tough period to win, but Lundqvist looked 5 years younger & Tanner FUCKING GLASS went top cheese on the backhand for what ended up the GWG to get it done. Vigneault, you genius. And let’s be honest – even without that goal, Glass & the rest of the 4th line were consistently the only attack in the first. Definitely kept a few pucks deep & allowed their teammates time to catch their breath.

For the final 40, the Blueshirts carried most of the play. They blew a HUGE 5-on-3 opportunity late in the second to get a cushion & couldn’t finish a 3rd period advantage either – but this is a Canadiens PK that’s given up just 5 PPG against since Julien stepped in as coach. The Rangers will inevitably need to find a way to break through, but it was never gonna be easy. Despite their inability to get Lundqvist any insurance until an ENG they ended up knotting Montreal at 31 shots a piece. Chances were there. #30 had it relatively easy in the third, but you could tell early Hank wasn’t gonna be beat. Career playoff shutout number 10.

Tanner fucking Glass. Backhand. Top Shelf. Unassisted.

Playoffs are officially here. Enjoy the ride.