The New York Rangers are in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins at Consol Energy Center. Today's game is a rare afternoon game, so that makes it a hockey day in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are coming off a horrible loss to the New York Islanders and are looking to bounce back. It won't be an easy thing to do against the Rangers, who have always been a pain in the Penguins' side.
However, the Penguins power play is getting back on track and it couldn't of come at a better time. The Penguins power play over the last five games is 50%, which means they have capitalized on four out of eight. This is a major improvement, but as the Penguins get guys back from the injury list, things start clicking. Plus, new addition, David Perron has been fitting right into the mix.
Speaking of Perron, he has four goals in the month of January, which is the most among the Penguins during that span. Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz, and Perron are firing on all cylinders, making the first line a deadly combination. Kunitz recorded his 499th career point, during the Islanders' game and is one point shy of the big 500. On another note, Marcel Goc is one of five forwards in the National Hockey League (NHL) to average at least 3 minutes of shorthanded time on the ice.
Time to move onto defense. First off, Simon Despres had a grand total of eight hits during the Islander game. This was only the fourth time this season a Penguin skater recorded eight hits or more in a game. Despres accounts for two of the four instances. We can't talk defense without mentioning, Kris Letang. Letang has really been an offensive defender as he has seven points in his last six games (one goal and six assists). This is in large part to him being on the top power play unit and getting involved at every turn.
Now the Penguins have to play a full 60 minute game, if they want to get the win against the Rangers. They need to keep up the pressure at all times and stay disciplined. Lets Go Pens!
The Pens lineup is as follows:
Forwards
Kunitz, Crosby, Perron
Bennett, Malkin, Arcobello
Spaling, Sutter, Downie
Sill, Goc, Adams
Defense
Martin, Letang
Scuderi, Ehrhoff
Despres, Bortuzzo
Fleury in the net!
Play By Play
Pens 2 Rangers 5
Pens 2 Rangers 5
3rd Period
0:00- Tough stretch for the Pens as the Rangers get the 5-2 win. By no means do I think everyone should be traded and they suck. It has been a tough stretch for the Pens, but it's a learning process. I hope they learn from these horrible losses and fix the problems. I would rather this happen now, then in the playoffs. However, the Pens have to learn from these games. Not sweep them under the rug! Tuesday will prove as a test, to see if they learned anything.
1:00- This game is coming to an end.
3:10- The Pens are now using Malkin-Crosby-Perron as the first line.
7:53- The Pens crash the net and hunt for the loose puck. Lundqvist denies both Letang and Perron on the doorstep.
9:55- Perron and Crosby get a chance on the fly. Perron holds and rips a shot, but Lundqvist flashes the glove!
11:02- Rangers power play comes to an end.
11:04- Rangers ring one off the post.
11:23- The Pens get a 2 on 1 chance, but Spaling's shot is saved by Lundqvist!
13:02- Bennett will now have a seat in the box. Rangers to the power play.
13:45- Stepan Scores. Malkin turnovers the puck and the Rangers get a 3 on 1 chance. The puck bounces around, Stepan ends up with the puck. He snipes it. 5-2 Rangers.
15:42- PERRON SCORES!! Perron drives between/through Girardi and McDonagh and is able to propel the puck through the five hole of Lundqvist! 4-2 Rangers.
16:35- The Pens have been able to generate some chances, but the Rangers are doing a great job of putting sticks in the lanes. Thus breaking up the Pens plays.
18:12- Martin with a sneaky shot from the point. It almost fools Lundqvist, but goes off the side of the net.
18:59- Bennett and Malkin team up to get a good chance, but Malkin's shot is gobbled up by Lundqvist.
20:00- One more period to go! I hope a different team comes out of the Pens locker room! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Rangers have the 4-1 lead.
2:18- Mark that down as a successful kill, but every Penguin fan had a panic attack.
4:18- The Pens passes the puck once too many times and Kreider gets a breakaway. Despres is called for slashing.
6:00- That is a successful kill.
8:00- The Rangers will head back onto the power play. Perron called for holding.
11:10- Pens are being outworked, turning over pucks, and getting penalties. Dump that puck and get to work...plain and simple. Hard work = goals.
14:13- Greiss comes in for Fleury. The Pens need to step up...big time.
14:15- Stepan Scores on the power play. Stepan fires a rocket shot passed a screened Fleury. Kreider was a huge wall in front. 4-1 Rangers.
15:31- Despres goes for delay of game and the Rangers get a power play.
17:21- Nash Scores. Nash blasts one from the point and Scuderi deflects the puck, in front, right over Fleury. 3-1 Rangers.
17:24- Malkin is playing with some fire.
20:00- The second period officially underway! The Pens have to get to work and beat the Rangers to every puck! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- Tough stretch for the Pens as the Rangers get the 5-2 win. By no means do I think everyone should be traded and they suck. It has been a tough stretch for the Pens, but it's a learning process. I hope they learn from these horrible losses and fix the problems. I would rather this happen now, then in the playoffs. However, the Pens have to learn from these games. Not sweep them under the rug! Tuesday will prove as a test, to see if they learned anything.
1:00- This game is coming to an end.
3:10- The Pens are now using Malkin-Crosby-Perron as the first line.
7:53- The Pens crash the net and hunt for the loose puck. Lundqvist denies both Letang and Perron on the doorstep.
9:55- Perron and Crosby get a chance on the fly. Perron holds and rips a shot, but Lundqvist flashes the glove!
11:02- Rangers power play comes to an end.
11:04- Rangers ring one off the post.
11:23- The Pens get a 2 on 1 chance, but Spaling's shot is saved by Lundqvist!
13:02- Bennett will now have a seat in the box. Rangers to the power play.
13:45- Stepan Scores. Malkin turnovers the puck and the Rangers get a 3 on 1 chance. The puck bounces around, Stepan ends up with the puck. He snipes it. 5-2 Rangers.
15:42- PERRON SCORES!! Perron drives between/through Girardi and McDonagh and is able to propel the puck through the five hole of Lundqvist! 4-2 Rangers.
16:35- The Pens have been able to generate some chances, but the Rangers are doing a great job of putting sticks in the lanes. Thus breaking up the Pens plays.
18:12- Martin with a sneaky shot from the point. It almost fools Lundqvist, but goes off the side of the net.
18:59- Bennett and Malkin team up to get a good chance, but Malkin's shot is gobbled up by Lundqvist.
20:00- One more period to go! I hope a different team comes out of the Pens locker room! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Rangers have the 4-1 lead.
2:18- Mark that down as a successful kill, but every Penguin fan had a panic attack.
4:18- The Pens passes the puck once too many times and Kreider gets a breakaway. Despres is called for slashing.
6:00- That is a successful kill.
8:00- The Rangers will head back onto the power play. Perron called for holding.
11:10- Pens are being outworked, turning over pucks, and getting penalties. Dump that puck and get to work...plain and simple. Hard work = goals.
14:13- Greiss comes in for Fleury. The Pens need to step up...big time.
14:15- Stepan Scores on the power play. Stepan fires a rocket shot passed a screened Fleury. Kreider was a huge wall in front. 4-1 Rangers.
15:31- Despres goes for delay of game and the Rangers get a power play.
17:21- Nash Scores. Nash blasts one from the point and Scuderi deflects the puck, in front, right over Fleury. 3-1 Rangers.
17:24- Malkin is playing with some fire.
20:00- The second period officially underway! The Pens have to get to work and beat the Rangers to every puck! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- First period comes to an end and the Pens are only down by one to the Rangers. 2-1 Rangers.
0:17- The Pens penalty kill is successful!
2:11- Ehrhoff is released from the box and the Rangers have a regular power play for 1:54.
2:17- Martin is off for cross-checking. The Rangers get a 5 on 3 power play for six seconds.
4:10- Now Ehrhoff will rest in the box for tripping. Penalty kill time for the Pens.
4:50- CROSBY SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Letang goes to Perron, who steps up a makes a slap pass/shot to the Crosby! Crosby at the side of the net and puts the loose puck in the wide open net! 2-1 Rangers
5:33- Third power play for the Pens and maybe this will be the one! Kreider for interference.
8:55- That marks the end of the power play. Perron had a solid chance at the start of it, but after that it didn't go well.
10:55- Malkin draws a hooking penalty on St.Louis and the Pens get a huge power play opportunity.
13:52- Brassard Scores. Klein fires a hard shot, which is saved by Fleury. The puck takes a weird bounce and Brassard finds the loose puck. He rifles one into the net. 2-0 Rangers.
15:08- The Pens power play comes to an end. The Pens had a few good looks at the net, but Lundqvist stood tall.
15:25- Downie makes a beautiful pass from the slot area, under pressure, to Sutter. He is robbed by Lundqvist!
17:08- A power play chance for the Pens as Mark Staal heads to the sin bin for interference.
19:34- Nash Scores. The puck bounces over Letang's stick at the blue line and Nash takes advantage. 2 on 1 chance, Nash holds and snipes one blocker side. 1-0 Rangers.
20:00- It's a hockey day in Pittsburgh! Arcobello moves up to the second line with Malkin! The Pens need come out with speed against the Rangers! Lets Go Pens!
0:17- The Pens penalty kill is successful!
2:11- Ehrhoff is released from the box and the Rangers have a regular power play for 1:54.
2:17- Martin is off for cross-checking. The Rangers get a 5 on 3 power play for six seconds.
4:10- Now Ehrhoff will rest in the box for tripping. Penalty kill time for the Pens.
4:50- CROSBY SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Letang goes to Perron, who steps up a makes a slap pass/shot to the Crosby! Crosby at the side of the net and puts the loose puck in the wide open net! 2-1 Rangers
5:33- Third power play for the Pens and maybe this will be the one! Kreider for interference.
8:55- That marks the end of the power play. Perron had a solid chance at the start of it, but after that it didn't go well.
10:55- Malkin draws a hooking penalty on St.Louis and the Pens get a huge power play opportunity.
13:52- Brassard Scores. Klein fires a hard shot, which is saved by Fleury. The puck takes a weird bounce and Brassard finds the loose puck. He rifles one into the net. 2-0 Rangers.
15:08- The Pens power play comes to an end. The Pens had a few good looks at the net, but Lundqvist stood tall.
15:25- Downie makes a beautiful pass from the slot area, under pressure, to Sutter. He is robbed by Lundqvist!
17:08- A power play chance for the Pens as Mark Staal heads to the sin bin for interference.
19:34- Nash Scores. The puck bounces over Letang's stick at the blue line and Nash takes advantage. 2 on 1 chance, Nash holds and snipes one blocker side. 1-0 Rangers.
20:00- It's a hockey day in Pittsburgh! Arcobello moves up to the second line with Malkin! The Pens need come out with speed against the Rangers! Lets Go Pens!
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