Geno, Louis, Spicy Pork and Broccoli: Penguins Top Rangers in Three OTs
STEAMROLLERED.
I wrote that single word in my game notes to sum up the first period of last night’s Game 1 clash between the Penguins and Rangers. An apt description if there ever was one.
Indeed, my enduring vision of the opening 20 minutes came near the end of the frame. Rickard Rakell lie face down on the ice, courtesy of a crushing (and high) hit along the boards by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Across the way another Penguin…Jake Guentzel I believe…was on all fours and struggling to regain his skates. Like bowling pins scattered on an alley.
Guentzel would mercifully continue. Rakell was done for the night.
The poster child for the Rangers’ barbaric play? Ryan Reaves. You remember Reavo. Big fellow. Used to play for us, until Mike Sullivan decided he had no use for him. A story for another time.
Last night Reaves was a one-man wrecking crew. The 225-pound Mack truck on skates delivered four thundering first-period hits (eight in all), including two body-benders on our d-man John Marino.