NBC Sports Network analyst and ex-Ranger and Penguin Eddie Olczyk breaks down what’s gone wrong for the Blueshirts and what they have to do turn the series around with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: How did this series turn after the Rangers’ Game 1 win?
A: Schedule, schedule, schedule. It’s not an excuse, but it’s going to catch up with you when you play five games in seven nights. The Penguins were ripe to be beaten in Game 3, and the Rangers just couldn’t score a goal. They had a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t get those second or third chances because they were on fumes. But you should be penalized when you go seven games in a series.
Q: Can they get back in the series?
A: There’s always a chance because the guy in goal (Henrik Lundqvist) has the ability to win games. I expect them to have a real strong performance on Friday night. I remember being in that locker room back in 1994 before Game 6 against the Devils and it’s just, ‘Hey, we can do this, it’s one game.’ The Rangers just have to worry about one game. They won in Pittsburgh and they know they can do it. You go out and you put them on their heels, and if you get that game then all the pressure is on the Penguins heading back to the Garden.
Q: Is it fair to blame Rick Nash?
A: Nash had a couple of shifts when he did everything absolutely right on Wednesday night, but sometimes you just have to tip your helmet to the Penguins. Nash seems to be the guy who is a lightning rod for negativity, but there are some other guys like Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis who need to be way better.
Q: Are your surprised how tough Montreal is playing Boston?
A: I am more surprised Boston hasn’t been able to play their game for longer stretches. They are way too inconsistent. It has to do with Carey Price and the Canadiens being a quick team, but when the Bruins have gotten it going it hasn’t been close.
Q: Any team that’s separated itself from the rest of the teams left for you?
A: I thought the Kings would be dangerous in the playoffs because of the (Marian) Gaborik move, their style of play and Jonathan Quick, who allows them to be just OK and still win. Then you have superstars in (Drew) Doughty and (Anze) Kopitar and everything falls in line. And to come back after being down 3-0 to the Sharks, they are very comfortable right now.