We are finally back in Pittsburgh for some playoff hockey! The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the New York Rangers in Game Three at Consol Energy Center! Currently, the series is tied one a piece. The Penguins go into this game with a record of 35-21 all-time in Game Three games.
The Penguins will have to pressure the Rangers early and often, they can't let up on Henrik Lundqvist. Sidney Crosby will be key after his performance in Game Two. In the faceoff circle, he has a 63.2% win percentage, which is ninth in the National Hockey League (NHL). Crosby also recorded his eight career mulit-point game in Game Two. He has multiple points in 43 of his 97 career playoff games. Another key guy in the last two games has been Brandon Sutter, who recorded his first career multi-point effort in the postseason in Game Two (one goal and one assist). Also, Sutter has three goals in his last six playoff games. One guy who has faced questions at the end of the season was finally able to break out. Chris Kunitz scored a goal in Game Two and had two assists that tied his career playoff high with three points during Game Two. The Penguins are 11-2 when Kunitz records multiple points. Look for all the guys to step up to the plate. Evgeni Malkin has been quiet at the start of this series, but when he does break through it will be like a dam breaking.
As for defense, the Penguins have been doing well with the new additions and making sure to get the job done right. Ian Cole has stepped up and been a huge asset to the team. Cole recorded his first career playoff point with an assist on Crosby's first goal in Game Two. A lot of the stability on defense has come from having confidence in the netminder. Marc-Andre Fleury has answered the call and played phenomenally in net. Fleury has a .574 home win percentage all-time in the playoffs, which puts him fourth among active goaltenders in the playoffs. He has a 2.52 goals-against-average (eight in the NHL) and .922% save percentage (fifth in the NHL). Fleury has given the Penguins every chance to win and they came through in Game Two.
The Penguins are back in their home and will have to take speed away from the Rangers early. They have to pressure Lundqvist and put the Rangers on their heels. It's no time to hold back! Lets Go Pens!
The Pens lineup is as follows:
Forwards
Kunitz, Crosby, Hornqvist
Winnik, Malkin, Perron
Wilson, Sutter, Downie
Spaling, Lapierre, Comeau
Defense
Martin, Lovejoy
Scuderi, Cole
Dumoulin, Chorney
Fleury in the net!
Play By Play
Pens 1 Rangers 2
Pens 1 Rangers 2
3rd Period
0:00- The Rangers take Game three with a 2-1 win over the #Pens. The Pens came on late, but it was too late. Good thing this is a best of 7 series.
1:00- Empty net for the Pens.
1:29- Back to five on five.
2:54- Time is becoming the enemy of the Pens.
3:29- Some more 4 on 4 hockey. Perron and Boyle get matching penalties.
4:22- The Pens and the crowd have a new life in them. Time to take advantage.
6:48- HORNQVIST SCORES! The Pens crash the net and battle for the loose puck! Hornqivst finds it and puts it over the pad of Lundqvist! 2-1 Rangers.
10:20- The first line for the Pens is creating some great chances on net, just need the finishing touch.
11:52- Lundqvist robs Crosby.
14:29- Martin just denied Stepan a wide open net chance.
16:01- The Pens need to show more passion to get back into this one. Really missing the services of Letang and how he is able to carry the puck.
20:00- Time for the third period! The Pens have to come out with speed and some passion! Fleury can't do it all! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Rangers extend their lead to 2-0.
1:56- Staal sits for interference. Late power-play for the Pens.
2:16- Stephan gets a breakaway at the blue line, but Fleury is aggressive to break up the chance.
3:47- Crosby sets up a battle in front. Lundqvist holds for now.
5:47- Crosby stickhandles around Boyle and his backhanded shot is stopped by Lundqvist.
5:36- Both teams are made whole.
7:36- 4 on 4 hockey as Kunitz for cross-checking and McDonagh for slashing.
8:53- Kreider Scores. Lapierre is hooked up on a breakaway chance and the Rangers come the other way. Staal's shot goes off the backboards and Kreider bats in the loose puck. 2-0 Rangers.
9:03- Rangers power-play comes to an end.
11:03- Martin now sits in the box for cross-checking. The Rangers will get their second power-play of the game.
12:55- Downie fires one that is saved by Lundqvist.
16:50- Fleury has been sharp to start this period.
20:00- The puck has dropped on the second period! The Pens have to pick up their game! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- The Rangers take Game three with a 2-1 win over the #Pens. The Pens came on late, but it was too late. Good thing this is a best of 7 series.
1:00- Empty net for the Pens.
1:29- Back to five on five.
2:54- Time is becoming the enemy of the Pens.
3:29- Some more 4 on 4 hockey. Perron and Boyle get matching penalties.
4:22- The Pens and the crowd have a new life in them. Time to take advantage.
6:48- HORNQVIST SCORES! The Pens crash the net and battle for the loose puck! Hornqivst finds it and puts it over the pad of Lundqvist! 2-1 Rangers.
10:20- The first line for the Pens is creating some great chances on net, just need the finishing touch.
11:52- Lundqvist robs Crosby.
14:29- Martin just denied Stepan a wide open net chance.
16:01- The Pens need to show more passion to get back into this one. Really missing the services of Letang and how he is able to carry the puck.
20:00- Time for the third period! The Pens have to come out with speed and some passion! Fleury can't do it all! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Rangers extend their lead to 2-0.
1:56- Staal sits for interference. Late power-play for the Pens.
2:16- Stephan gets a breakaway at the blue line, but Fleury is aggressive to break up the chance.
3:47- Crosby sets up a battle in front. Lundqvist holds for now.
5:47- Crosby stickhandles around Boyle and his backhanded shot is stopped by Lundqvist.
5:36- Both teams are made whole.
7:36- 4 on 4 hockey as Kunitz for cross-checking and McDonagh for slashing.
8:53- Kreider Scores. Lapierre is hooked up on a breakaway chance and the Rangers come the other way. Staal's shot goes off the backboards and Kreider bats in the loose puck. 2-0 Rangers.
9:03- Rangers power-play comes to an end.
11:03- Martin now sits in the box for cross-checking. The Rangers will get their second power-play of the game.
12:55- Downie fires one that is saved by Lundqvist.
16:50- Fleury has been sharp to start this period.
20:00- The puck has dropped on the second period! The Pens have to pick up their game! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- First period comes to an end and the Rangers have a 1-0 lead.
2:36- The Rangers only have six shots on goal to the Pens three, so neither team are getting much offense in this one. The Pens will have to make the most of them.
3:52- Crosby rings one off the goal post!
4:49- Power-play comes to an end.
4:50- Lovejoy fires one from the point and tallies the first shot for the Pens.
6:49- Now the Pens will get a crack at the power-play. Nash heads to the box for high-sticking.
8:54- Fleury with a great pad save on a redirected shot up front.
11:17- Hagelin Scores. The Rangers catch the Pens during a bad change and that gives Hagelin a breakaway chance. He doesn't miss. 1-0 Rangers.
11:48- Mad scramble in front of the net and Fleury holds down the fort with a few saves. Rangers with some good pressure in the last few plays.
13:36- Six minutes into the game and the first shot is recorded for the Rangers.
14:50- Great penalty kill by the Pens and they held the Rangers to zero shots on their power-play chance.
16:50- The Rangers will yet again get the first power-play of the game. Cole to the box for cross-checking.
2:36- The Rangers only have six shots on goal to the Pens three, so neither team are getting much offense in this one. The Pens will have to make the most of them.
3:52- Crosby rings one off the goal post!
4:49- Power-play comes to an end.
4:50- Lovejoy fires one from the point and tallies the first shot for the Pens.
6:49- Now the Pens will get a crack at the power-play. Nash heads to the box for high-sticking.
8:54- Fleury with a great pad save on a redirected shot up front.
11:17- Hagelin Scores. The Rangers catch the Pens during a bad change and that gives Hagelin a breakaway chance. He doesn't miss. 1-0 Rangers.
11:48- Mad scramble in front of the net and Fleury holds down the fort with a few saves. Rangers with some good pressure in the last few plays.
13:36- Six minutes into the game and the first shot is recorded for the Rangers.
14:50- Great penalty kill by the Pens and they held the Rangers to zero shots on their power-play chance.
16:50- The Rangers will yet again get the first power-play of the game. Cole to the box for cross-checking.
18:47- Nice offensive zone pressure by the Pens.
20:00- It's playoff hockey in Pittsburgh! The Pens have to come out with speed and take it to the Rangers! Lets Go Pens!
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