Boy, that escalated quickly.
After the Rangers tied the series 1-1 at Madison Square Garden, they went to Pittsburgh hoping to at least take one game to get home-ice advantage back. They left Pittsburgh getting absolutely destroyed by the Penguins and their third-string goalie. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets, 14-6. It was that ugly. The Rangers return to NYC for Game 5 on Wednesday in a win-or-go-home game and then hope to have a different outcome if they can get it back to Pittsburgh for Game 6.
To talk about the two colossal failures by the Blueshirts in Pittsburgh, we bring you a new episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast with Ron Duguay and Mollie Walker, including our chat with The Post’s Larry Brooks.
Up In The Blue Seats Podcast with Ron, Mollie & Jake
- EMBARRASSING LOSS: The Rangers fell flat on their face in Pittsburgh. We have spoke positively about this team all season, but that effort in Game 4 was pathetic. Igor Shesterkin was rattled. The defense didn’t help him.
- ANY FIGHT LEFT?: The Rangers’ top line has been a huge disappointment. This team showed no fight in the third period. They need to play more physical.
- IGOR: He can only do so much. He clearly has been rattled by the crowd response and unlucky bounces, deflections, etc. His first career road playoff games in front of a hostile PPG Paints Arena crowd has been a nightmare. Fans have been rowdy and it’s been a lot louder than MSG was for Games 1 and 2.
- PREDICTIONS: Ron and Mollie do not feel good about the Rangers winning Game 5. Andrew Harts and I think the Rangers take Game 5 and fight their way back to potentially win this series in seven games.
Larry Brooks Interview:
The Post’s Hall of Fame hockey columnist
- DOMINATION: Rangers’ top players are being dominated by Penguins’ top players.
- STUBBORN: Rangers are being stubborn and won’t change their game to adapt to the Penguins. Total systems failure so far by the Rangers. Mika Zibanejad’s line has not been a threat at all and wasting all energy on defense.
- MILLER: K’Andre Miller has been one of few bright spots, going toe-to-toe with Sidney Crosby.
SUBSCRIBE ON:
Catch up on all episodes of “Up In The Blue Seats,” a New York Rangers podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop Thursdays during the regular season.