Lundqvist contended with 15 shots in overtime. The obvious hustle of Boston's Marchand and Bergeron was absent from the majority of the Rangers, who couldn't keep their legs churning with an energy equal to the goal-thirsty Bruins. It was fitting, as the Rangers played close to a group of brainless zombies for most of the night, only lacking a lust for flesh - or in their case a lust for goals. The Bruins' goal song, "Kernkraft 400" by German electro group Zombie Nation, blared over the TD Garden speakers as teammates rushed a leaping Marchand. ZOMBIE-NATION BLUESHIRTS GUNNED DOWN BY 'NOSE FACE KILLAH' Marchand, playfully known as "Nose Face Killah" coolly put the puck through Lundqvist's five hole and sent TD Garden into a frenzy. Patrice Bergeron placed a inch-perfect pass on the tape of Marchand's stick. My record is terrible in overtime, but I've got to stick with it, play my game and hopefully it will turn around," Lundqvist said. Lundqvist is a career 3-11 in those situations.
Yet, there was a unusual hint of frustration at his teammates when Lundqvist was asked about his history of losing playoff games in overtime. That's just the kind of guy he is -– but really, Lundqvist doesn't deserve any blame for the loss. He willingly accepts blame and carries it on his back as extra motivation.
I was too focused on the puck," Lundqvist said of Brad Marchand's game-winning goal.Įndearing accountability is what you get from the highly self-critical Lundqvist on any given night. "It was a surge, we couldn't stop it," Tortorella said.Īfter the Rangers dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in overtime, Lundqvist shouldered the blame for what he described as a "technical thing."