New York Rangers Fall To Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Rangers Fall To Pittsburgh Penguins

First Period – started strong and fast. At 4:19 in the first period, a spectacular play from Kevin Hayes to Eric Staal gave him the first goal of the game. This is Staal’s second goal as a New York Ranger.

Dan Boyle was observed making some pretty good defensive plays. Using his body as a shield knocking a Penguin down as he approached Henrik Lundqvist with the puck. It was a notable play and more of what needs to happen with this team.

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Kris Letang acquires a slashing call on Rick Nash which gives the Rangers a power-play. Nash had a fantastic chance but no goal was produced. The Penguins managed to kill the penalty and play resumed as usual.

Towards the end of the first, it appeared Pittsburgh gained a lot of control of the puck. It proved to be true as the Penguins tied up the game at 15:49 in the first. Matt Cullen managed to score his thirtieth of the season.

Shots on goal in the first period were 13-11 favoring the New York Rangers. Overall a good period by both teams.

Second Period – offered the same intensity and speed as the first from both teams. The puck movement was fast and so were the goals. Eric Staal once again found the perfect position to be in and fed another goal into Fleury’s open net. The time of goal was at 2:09 in the second period.

At 11:24 Phil Kessel gets one past Lundqvist with the assist coming from former Ranger Carl Haglin. Once again the Penguins tie up the game shortly after a New York Rangers goal.

Eric Staal had another beautiful chance at a hat trick with a break away but Fleury was ready for him and knocked it away. The New York Rangers really stepped it up and applied some pressure later in the period. It was the kind of play you hope they continue to have moving into the playoffs.

The last few seconds of the period Rick Nash makes a play for a goal but is denied just before the buzzer. The period ended tied at 2-2.

Third Period – The pressure was even from both teams. Matching speed and opportunities. Ultimately both sides were not able to score again leaving the third period at a dead lock 2-2.

Over Time – The end of the third period Derrick Brassard pulled a high stick penalty which caused the New York Rangers to start over time with a penalty kill. Fortunately they killed it, even with the strong pressure coming from the penguins.

As the clock dwindled down, the Penguins scored with :29 seconds left in over-time play. Sidney Crosby with a deflection gets one past Lundqvist ending the game 3-2. The New York Rangers get a point but this leaves only a few points between the two teams going in to the playoffs.

Next New York Rangers game is Thursday, March 31st against the Carolina Hurricanes.