Caps fall to Rangers 3-1 as Prust gets a Shorty!

Prust!

He's back!

I mean - he's been playing for the Rangers all year - but the "Pruster" we knew and love from last season was not quite here this season.

Because one of the key aspects of Brandon's game last year was his ability to be an unstoppable force on the penalty kill. He would swoop into the forecheck - hound the point, steal the puck - and quite often net a shorthanded goal.

These shorty's were huge because they broke the opponent's spirit and got them off their powerplay game. Because it's hard to score when you're worried about being scored on.

On Sunday - against Ovechkin (or what's left of him) and the Capitals - with the score a tight 2-1 in the third and the Caps on the PowerPlay....

Prust!

A ShortHanded Goal!

And suddenly the Rangers were up 3-1. They hung on to win 3-2 and the Rangers completed the weekend double sweep to stay first in the East.

In addition to Prust, Captain Callahan scored his 4th of the weekend and McDonaugh got his 5th of the year.

Assists for Dubinsky (a pair), Stralman, Staal, Richards and Boyle

The Ranger stuck to what they have been working all year. They outshot the caps 26-24. They outhit them 37-20. They blocked shots. And they left it up to Lundqvist - who had a .923 save percentage and once again - outperformed the opposing goalie.

When the team plays defense and grinds their offense - they win. And once again - win they did. And if Prust can be the Prust of last season - look out!

Happy Valentines Day everybody.



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