After dropping the first game of the series on Friday night in overtime, a game in which they were largely outplayed, the Penguins returned with a vengeance in Game 2 on Sunday night, blanking the New York Rangers 3-0.
While Game 2 is never a “must-win” situation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Penguins played as if there was no tomorrow, out shooting and out-chancing the Rangers by a wide margin.
Game 3 is tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.
New York started out with three straight power plays in the first period but failed to capitalize on any of them, as has been the case for the Rangers for most of these playoffs. They are 0-8 in this series with the man advantage.
The Penguins hammered New York along the boards, out-hitting the Rangers 35-32 in an effort to wear down a team that will play its fifth game in seven days tomorrow night.
After a scoreless first, Kris Letang broke the tie midway through the second period to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Letang attempted a timing play to Chris Kunitz in front of the net, instead the puck went off of the defenseman Dan Girardi and past Henrik Lundqvist.
Pittsburgh scored a power play goal with just 3:30 remaining in the game to seal the win. James Neal’s wide angle shot off the rush produced a perfect rebound to Jussi Jokinen who finished the play for his fourth goal of the playoffs.
It was an otherwise brilliant performance for Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped 33-35 shots including all six by Sidney Crosby who looked like his old self in this game.
Evgeni Malkin put the finishing touches on a spectacular team effort by scoring an empty netter late in the third period.
- Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his seventh career shutout in the playoffs, edging Tom Barrasso for most in franchise history.
- New York failed to register a shot in the final 11:38 of the game.
- Kris Letang’s 15th career playoff goal ties him with Larry Murphy for most all time by a Penguin.
Three Stars
- Kris Letang
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Henrik Lundqvist
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
