Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers fall to Penguins 3-2

By Jason Katinas

Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins holds back Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins holds back Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Jan 22, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) skates with the puck as New York Rangers left wing Phillip Di Giuseppe (33) defends during the second period at the PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-3 in a shoot-out. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) skates with the puck as New York Rangers left wing Phillip Di Giuseppe (33) defends during the second period at the PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-3 in a shoot-out. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

This was a game the New York Rangers could have won. It was a game that the Rangers should have won. It was a game the Rangers controlled through two periods, but in the end, it was a game the Rangers lost on a goal in the final two minutes of the game. This Rangers loss falls squarely on the shoulders of their presumptive number one goaltender. Igor Shesterkin allowed two questionable goals in the third period that derailed the teams efforts.

The Rangers took a one goal lead into the third period before a sharp angle shot off the boards by Jared McCann surprised Shesterkin to tie the game. With less than two minutes, the Penguins gained control of the puck and got off a one-timer from the slot. Shesterkin was in perfect position to stop the puck, but his grip on his stick was loose and the weight of the shot forced its way through him and into the net.

The Rangers took a lead into both intermissions on goals by Colin Blackwell and Ryan Strome, but were answered by the Penguins in the following periods by Bryan Rust and Jared McCann before Jake Guentzel sealed the win for Pittsburgh with 1:31 remaining in the third period. The Rangers pulled Shesterkin and pressed in the final 90 seconds, culminating with a missed
one-timer that sealed the team’s fate.

Related Story. Game preview: Rangers look to avenge shootout loss. light

The good news takeaway from the game is that the team was able to limit the Penguins to just 19 shots against. The Rangers were also able to control the possession game with a 50.54% Corsi For rating and a dramatic turn around at the dot. The Rangers won 50.94% of the game’s draws, led by Ryan Strome (12-6) and Brett Howden (7-5). The Rangers also played a disciplined game, being assessed no penalties during the contest.

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