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A wild finish to a great 3-2 win over the Penguins

BySteve Paulus|
Mar 29, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) moves the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) moves the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 26: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 26, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 26: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 26, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

My 3 Rangers stars

Jacob Trouba

gets the top star for being an absolute rock on defense and a leader on offense.  His work on the boards helped lead to the second goal while his hit in the defensive zone led to the rush that resultedin the second Ranger goal.  He was tied for the most hits on the team with four and in the first period he had four golden scoring opportunities.  He set the pace from the beginning of the game.

  • Chris Kreider gets the second star for scoring the game winning goal, his ninth of the season.  He also deflected the puck to Mika Zibanejad and that led to the first goal by Frank Vatrano. Another outstanding game by the man who has a chance to become the greatest single season goal scorer in franchise history.
  • Mika Zibanejad gets the third star for another excellent performance.  His pass to Vatrano set up the Rangers’ first goal and he was a defensive dynamo in the final three minutes.  He is the team’s best players (other than Igor) and absolutely key to ever Rangers game.  He was also excellent on the faceoff dots.

    • The official 3 stars

    1. Chris Kreider – Rangers
    2. Braden Schneider – Rangers
    3. Sidney Crosby – Penguins

    What’s next

    There’s no rest as the Rangers travel to take on the Detroit Red Wings in the second game of back-to-back games.  The game will be televised nationally on TNT (ugh) with start time scheduled for 7:30pm EST.

    The Red Wings have allowed 55 goals in their last 11 games, going 2-7-2 including an 11-2 loss to the Penguins on Sunday. The Rangers lost their only meeting of the season in a shootout last month.

    After that, the Rangers return home for their third game in four nights against the Islanders on Friday night.

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