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New York Rangers: Never-say-die attitude helps to down Pens

By Andrew Steele-Davis

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: New York Rangers Left Wing Brendan Smith (42) scores past Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Matt Murray (30) during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on April 6, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: New York Rangers Left Wing Brendan Smith (42) scores past Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Matt Murray (30) during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on April 6, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 06: Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on April 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 06: Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on April 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

My three stars of the game

  1. Brady Skjei – This was a hard one to decide but I’ll give my first star to the defenseman, who has dramatically turned his game around in the second-half of the season. He has skill and power and he combined both to perfect effect against the Penguins, dishing out six hits and then jumping up to join the attack at just the right time to allow him to bury the tying goal. It was a real mature and accomplished performance from Skjei, who should have a big year in 2019-20.
  2. Alexandar Georgiev – He just had to be included. Georgiev has elevated his game to a whole new level of late, showcasing why he should be considered the true heir to the throne once Henrik Lundqvist decides to call it a day. He made a boatload of key and impressive saves against the Penguins and he’s one of the main reasons why the Rangers came away with the win in overtime.
  3. Brett Howden – I could have given my third star to Ryan Strome, but Howden just edges his team-mate. Howden has been playing with a lot of confidence as of late and that was evident again on Saturday, especially in the first period. The young forward fed Ryan Lindgren with a nice pass in the first, before testing Matt Murray himself. Howden has shown time and time again that he isn’t afraid to get stuck in, and there is some skill there to boot. His hustle and bustle approach should see him thrive under David Quinn.

light. More. Dodging a lottery bullet

The official three stars of the game:

      1. Sidney Crosby
      2. Jake Guentzel
      3. Ryan Strome
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