The New York Rangers staved off elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 5-1 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on an emotional night for right winger Martin St Louis.
The Rangers rallied around St Louis, who had been rocked by the sudden death of his mother before the game, and put in their best performance of the series.
“You don’t expect these things,” St Louis said. “It was a couple tough days for my family, but I know deep down my mother would want me to play this game. She’d be proud of me coming here and helping as much as I can tonight. The boys are so supportive, the support I’ve got from the boys, my friends and family ... is unbelievable.”
Photo: Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY
Pittsburgh lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series 3-2, with Game 6 to be played in New York today.
Center Derick Brassard scored twice and the Rangers’ much maligned power play also accounted for two goals. New York had been on a 0-for-36 power-play skid.
The Rangers improved to 8-2 in their past 10 playoff games when facing elimination, including wins in three-of-five road games dating back to 2012.
Photo: AFP
Pittsburgh’s loss was their first in regulation in these playoffs. All three of their previous playoff defeats had come in overtime.
“We didn’t get a win at home and it’s a missed opportunity Game 5 here at home,” Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma said. “We have to turn the page. We’re going back to Madison Square Garden to win our fourth one there.”
WILD 4, BLACKHAWKS 2
Diminutive defenseman Jared Spurgeon enjoyed a big night as the home-loving Minnesota Wild remained unbeaten in the playoffs at the Xcel Energy Center with a win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
The 1.75m blueliner had a goal and an assist as the Wild tied up their best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final series at 2-2 against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Spurgeon helped break a 2-2 tie in the second period, setting up right winger Nino Niederreiter’s go-ahead goal, and then scored on a power play in the third period for Minnesota, who improved to 5-0 at home in the post-season.
Right wingers Justin Fontaine and Jason Pominville also scored for the Wild, who got 18 saves from goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.
Chicago, who were shut out in Game 3, showed more offensive spark, twice rallying to tie the game on goals by left winger Patrick Sharp and center Michal Handzus. Goaltender Corey Crawford made 27 saves.
“They get the crowd into it, and they get energized,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters. “But they play hard in their building and they’re good in their building, and they check well so it’s tough to get momentum in here.”
Wild coach Mike Yeo said: “There were a lot of responses tonight. For me a great response was by [Bryzgalov] too. He makes a huge save on the breakaway and another huge save in the third period.”
Spurgeon, who had five goals in 67 regular season games, got his third goal in 11 playoff games early in the third on a man advantage after Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival was called for closing his hand on the puck.
“Any guy can be that guy on any given night, and if you get a chance to make that play and are able to capitalize it’s great for the team,” Spurgeon said.
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