Penguins at Rangers
THE STORY: The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers are fighting for their respective playoff destinies. The Rangers are in a war to stay atop the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference, while the Penguins are battling at the bottom with several other playoff hopefuls. The two teams will collide on Thursday in New York. It's the third of six meetings this season between the division rivals. New York won the first two contests, including the most recent game 3-1 on Jan. 6th in Pittsburgh. Brandon Dubinsky scored the game-winning goal on a shorthanded effort. Brad Richards and Derek Stepan also tallied for the Rangers, who were outshot 38-21. Ben Lovejoy was the lone Penguin to score on Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers also won 4-3 on Nov. 29th. Marian Gaborik netted the game winner.
TV: 7 P.M. ET. NHLN-US (HD), ROOT (HD), MSG
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (24-17-4): Pittsburgh, 4-6-0 in its last 10 games, is coming off a 2-1 home shootout win over the Caroline Hurricanes. It was the Penguins' third straight win. Evgeni Malkin scored his 22nd goal of the season, as well as scoring in the shootout. James Neal netted the shootout winner. Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves in regulation and overtime and two more in the shootout to improve to 22-12-2 on the season. Malkin has seven goals and two assists in his last six outings. After New York, the Pens return home for three of their next four games. Pittsburgh is 12-10-2 on the road this season.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (29-11-4): New York, 7-3-0 in its last 10
games, is coming off a 3-0 home win over the Nashville Predators.
Lundqvist made 27 saves for his fourth shutout of the season. Dan
Girardi, John Mitchell and Captain Ryan Callahan provided the offense.
The Rangers were coming off a 4-1 loss prior in Montreal. After the
Pens, the Rangers play the Bruins on Saturday afternoon in Boston. New
York is 14-4-2 at home and 9-1-0 against Atlantic Division rivals this
season.
OVERTIME:
1. After starting the season 0-1-2, the Rangers have not lost three straight games since.
2. Rangers’ backup goalie Martin Biron is 9-2-0 this season with two shutouts. He has also collected three assists.
3. Since losing captain Sidney Crosby on Dec. 5th, the Penguins have posted an 8-9-0 record.