New York -- In game one of the Eastern Final, the Florida Panthers were hanging onto to 2-1 advantage in the third period when New York Rangers dman Jaroslav Spacek took another undisciplined penalty. 25 seconds later, Panthers pivot Robert Lang passed back to Paul Ranger on the point. Rangers slapper beat Henrik Lundqvist and the Panthers would take Game One 4-2.
"We played a good road game," explained Pete DeBoer. "We took advantage of our opportunities and i thought we did well to limit them."
The Rangers were in self-destruct mode in this game. After taking an early lead with a Todd Bertuzzi goal just 98 seconds into the game. The Rangers took a few penalties and let the Southern Cats claw back into the game. Michel Ouellet scored to tie the game and the power-play allowed them to get their offense in gear.
In the second frame the Rangers continued a parade to the sin bin including little used Jon 'the sim hates me' Sim taking two minors. This guy played just 6 minutes and spent another 4 sitting in the penalty box. Not exactly the best type of ratio.
Panthers rookie Blake Wheeler, continued his hot playoff run with his 5th of the post season with just 49 seconds remaining in the second. It was tough goal to give-up considering the Rangers were killing penalties very well and they really didn't have a great chance to play a 5-on-5 game.
The Panthers kept up their strong play in the third period thanks to more power-play chances. After the Ranger goal gave the Cats a 3-1 lead, New York responded quickly with a Chris Campoli goal. But they couldn't get any closer and Kris Draper put it out of reach with his third of the playoffs.
Campoli was the man of the match. Two points, a plus 2 and lots of good work on the penalty kill. Evgeni Malkin was held in check by Campoli and the blue-shirts. But he did lead the way in hits and his teammates picked up on his play and actually out-hit the Rangers.
Game two is Monday night in New York.
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