NHL playoff scores 2017: Henrik Lundqvist can’t save the Rangers from themselves

Henrik Lundqvist is getting no help.

The Rangers’ inability to score on home-ice in the playoffs goes back a long way. The last Ranger to score at even-strength on home ice in the playoffs was Dominic Moore in 2015 before Brady Skjei ended that lonely streak with New York’s only goal on Sunday.

The Montreal Canadiens out-chanced and out-shot the Rangers all night, leading to a result that even Lundqvist’s heroics couldn’t prevent: a 2-1 series deficit with some hope fading. How cruel would it be for the Rangers to watch their playoff window close with Lundqvist truly carrying the team on his back?

Blues 3, Wild 1
Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 4 (OT)
Canadiens 3, Rangers 1
Oilers 1, Sharks 0

1.. Cam Talbot is stymying the Sharks

Raise your hand if you looked at the Sharks and Blackhawks a week ago and said, “Yeah, I bet those two will be the first Western teams to get shutout in consecutive playoff games.” Pekka Rinne doing that against the ‘Hawks is plausible; the man has a reputation, after all.

But Talbot has continued to justify the Oilers’ acquisition of him, following up a terrific season with an equally-impressive first round. After a 23-save shutout in San Jose, the Oilers are up 2-1.

2. The Wild are in trouble

Maybe that month of poor play was too much to hope for a turnaround. Minnesota dropped Game 3 in St. Louis, falling behind 3-0 in the series. The Blues look more than a match for the Wild, making a four-game comeback seem pretty unlikely.

3. Jake Guenztal had himself a night

Pittsburgh wouldn’t have reached the Stanley Cup Final, let alone won it, without young players coming out of nowhere to score timely goals. Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust come to mind.

So. Hello, Jake Guentzel. The kid scored twice in regulation, including the go-ahead goal in the third, before completing the hat trick with the overtime game-winner.

Uh, how about the impact of the puck hitting Zach Werenski’s face?

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