Are the Pittsburgh Penguins really the hottest team in the NHL right now? That’s a matter of debate, but they added some converts in the first round.
The New York Rangers weren’t happy with their play after losing Game 5 by a score of 6-3 to fall to the Penguins 4-1. Even with that letdown in mind, they seemed blown away after being blown out by Pittsburgh.
Just ask the likes of Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault.
AV on the #Pens: "Right now, they're probably the hottest team in the League and they're going to be a tough matchup." #NYR
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 23, 2016
(Speaking of matchups, the Penguins will face either the Philadelphia Flyers or the Washington Capitals in round two.)
No doubt about it, netminding was a story in this series, and Henrik Lundqvist took responsibility for his part in this defeat.
Lundqvist says Penguins were the better team with the better goaltending.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 23, 2016
Lundqvist says the #Pens were "smarter" and "better." #NYR
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 23, 2016
Lundqvist on second period: "it was a feeling of embarrassment to give up that many goals, but also a sense of hopelessness."
— Neil Best (@sportswatch) April 23, 2016
With some key free agents heading into the summer and years of mortgaging draft picks to try to contend, the Rangers saw their postseason hopes fade in the first round this time.
For now, it seems like the franchise is focused on the season that just ended, and plenty of questions about what could have been.
Alain Vigneault: "We all wanted more and expected more."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 23, 2016
Lundqvist says he felt embarrassed in the second and spent the third thinking of what could've been done better throughout the season.
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 23, 2016