Relax, Rangers Fans, Things Aren't As Bleak As They Appear.

Want to hear something wild? Saturday night's game in Pittsburgh was the best the Rangers have played so far in these playoffs. I know the final score didn't reflect it, but the Blueshirts outchanced the Penguins in high-risk scoring opportunities 12-8; they owned the puck in the second period; and they held Sidney Crosby to a single shot on goal through two periods. Equally impressive is the way they shut down Evgeni Malkin for the second consecutive game. Had it not been for some uncharacteristic shoddy net minding by likely Vezina trophy winner Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers would be ahead in this series 2-1, instead of trailing 2-1.

Want to hear something even wilder? Had it not been for a bad call that disallowed what should've been a game-winning goal by Filip Chytil with three minutes to go in the third period of game one, the Rangers would be on the verge of a four-game sweep in this series. And, no, I'm not letting that one go. It was an atrocious call.

Unfortunately, in the real world, the Rangers' backs are against the wall. Game four is a must win. They don't dare return home trailing 3-1. Yes, they came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Pens in 2014, but that was a different Rangers team, one with far more playoff experience than this one. Having to win three in a row will be a tall order for this group. Come hell or high water, they gotta win Monday.

So how do they do that? Well, for starters, Igor has to, and will, play better. Even the best are entitled to a mulligan once and a while. Better to have it in game three than a potential game seven. But there's more to it than just that. On the second Penguins power play goal, the Rangers were lapse in their coverage. Yes, they got a lively bounce off the boards. So what? You still gotta clear the puck when that happens. You can't leave your goalie naked like that. It's inexcusable.

Another thing that's inexcusable is failing to convert on three consecutive power plays. After bitching and moaning all series about the lack of calls from the refs, they finally got what they wanted and rather than make the Penguins pay, they handed the game right back to them. If the Rangers have any hope of winning this series, that cannot happen again. They had the fourth best power play in the NHL this season for a reason. They have to capitalize on it.

Finally, despite an overall advantage in high-risk scoring chances, the Rangers can't afford to get into a shooting match with the Penguins. Yes, they have their fare share of elite players like Zibanejad, Kreider and Panarin, and, yes, they're getting better contributions from depth players like Copp, Vatrano and the Kid line, which had a damn good game Saturday, but in a shootout, the advantage would most definitely go to the Pens. The key to the Rangers success this season has been their defense: the second stingiest in the league. Opening things up would literally be playing right into Pittsburg's hands. Gerard Gallant needs to get them back on track, and fast.

And speaking of Gallant, let's knock it off with all the "he's getting out-coached in this series" crap. Right, the guy who's up for a possible Jack Adams award is getting out-coached by the guy who hasn't gotten his team past the first round since 2018. This is what happens when people with too much time on their hands forget to take their Adderall.

Look, it's not the end of the world. The Rangers aren't the only team in this tournament to fall behind 2-1. The Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are all in the same boat. Anybody think those teams can't come back? Didn't think so. If they take care of their own end, get the goaltending they've been getting all season long, and capitalize on the power play, they will advance. They're better than the Penguins; they just have to prove it.

Chill, people.