The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins fought in another playoff-like duel, and the Rangers ended up winning again. Rangers scored three straight goals between the second and third periods to take a 3-1 lead late in the game. A late power-play goal from Sidney Crosby got the Penguins back in the game, but Rangers made it clear in the closing minutes.
1st period
Brian Boyle (9) – Brian Dumoulin (14) & Kris Letang (50) – 14:24
Although the Rangers controlled a good portion of the game early in the game, the Pittsburgh Penguins would go up 1-0 early on. Kris Letang was able to find Brian Dumoulin, who entered the offensive zone on the other side of the ice with a crisp pass. Dumoulin threw an instant shot at goal with traffic ahead and was able to score a deflection. Brian Boyle was the receiver after achieving body position at the top of the crease and getting his stick on the puck as he came on goal.
2nd period
Frank Vatrano (15) – Mika Zibanejad (43) & Chris Kreider (19) – 13:32
Rangers kept their pressure up the attacking zone and were eventually rewarded for their hard work below the goal line. Chris Kreider was able to force a turnover with his racquet and caused some confusion with the puck appearing high in the air. Mika Zibanejad read the puck the entire time and adjusted his pass perfectly when the puck landed back on the ice. Frank Vatrano caught the easy pass and scored his 15th goal of the season through Tristian Jarry’s legs.
Braden Schneider (2) – Artemiy Panarin (59) & Andrew Copp (27) – 17:04
Less than four minutes later, Rangers would take the lead after converting a 4-on-2 charge into the offensive zone. Andrew Copp led the initial rush as he carried the puck through the middle of the ice and handed off to Artemiy Panarin as he crossed the blue line. Panarin pushed both defenders down with a slight pull-up and found Braden Schneider extremely late in the game. Schneider was wide open when three Penguins were back in the game and he absolutely wired a slap shot to put New York 2-1 up.
3rd period
Chris Kreider (45) – Adam Fox (55) & Artemiy Panarin (60) PPG – 1:06
Things got a little heated between Ryan Lindgren and Mike Matheson at the end of the second period, leading to a power play by Rangers. Leading just 1:06, the power play specialist scored his 45th goal of the season himself and gave Rangers a two-goal lead. Adam Fox set up the entire game by pulling a defender towards him and instead of risking the blocked shot, he put the puck off the end boards. The puck rebounded cleanly in front of the net where Chris Kreider was waiting and he slammed home the easy rebound.
Sidney Crosby (25) – Evgeni Malkin (17) & Kris Letang (51) PPG – 10:37
After leading 3-1 in the third period, Rangers played extremely well on the defensive side of the puck. However, a rash stumble penalty by Andrew Copp led to a power play in Pittsburgh midway through the third. Sidney Crosby capitalized on the opportunity, wiring a heavy slap shot from the top of the faceoff left circle. Igor Shesterkin never saw the puck with many bodies in front of him, and Rangers suddenly had a game.
Fortunately, Rangers were able to finish that game despite missing the empty net on three separate occasions. Igor Shesterkin made a final key save in the closing seconds to narrowly fend off Jake Guentzel and handed Rangers a huge regular win. That win now puts the Rangers in second place in the Metropolitan Division, a point clear of the Penguins. After tonight’s big win, Rangers will be right back in action tomorrow night when they take on the Detroit Red Wings at 7:30 p.m