Rangers vs Penguins preview: The competition gets tougher
By Steve Paulus
About the Penguins
To say that the Penguins have been successful against the Rangers is an understatement. They have points in 10 of their last 11 games against New York with a 7-1-3 record . They have lost only three games in regulation in their last 17 meetings. The Pens have not lost to the Rangers at the PPG Paints Arena in five games.
The Penguins are outstanding at home with a 9-2-0 record this season. They just took two of three from the Flyers and they blew a 3-1 lead in their only loss.
The Penguins statistically are fourth in the East Division in scoring, averaging 3.00 goals per game. They allow 3.22 goals per game, the most of any team in the division. They are merely average on special teams, sixth best on the power play and penalty kill in the division. They are in the middle of the pack when it comes to shots for and against per game.
The Penguins are the definition of a team that can come back. They have allowed the first goal in 14 of their 23 games and have come back to win even times, third most in the NHL and best in the East. They have won four times when going into the third period trailing, most in the NHL. Compare that to the Rangers who have lost every time. That means the Penguins have gained nine of 22 points when trailing after two while the Ranger have gotten none of 12 points.
Despite their comebacks, the Penguins score pretty evenly over three periods.
The Penguins defense corps had been wracked by injuries the last time the two teams met. Now, Pittsburgh has gotten back most of their defensemen so it will be a new look group for the Blueshirts. Forward Colton Sceviour has been placed the COVID list and will not be available. Jason Zucker is also out with a lower body injury.