The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Consol Energy Center, and won the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, four games to one.
Period One
The first period proved to be slow for the Penguins, especially after the Rangers took a 1-0 lead when Rick Nash scored. After that, it was back and forth. Carl Hagelin scored the first goal for the Penguins, to tie the game. Dominic Moore quickly put the Rangers back in the lead, but the Penguins soon tied it up with a goal from Phil Kessel during a Penguins power play.
Period Two
The Penguins finally showed up to Saturday’s game during the second period, scoring a total of four goals and making the score 6-2 Penguins. Penguins goals came from Bryan Rust, who had two, and from Matt Cullen and Conor Sheary.
Period Three
The Penguins once again chased the Rangers’ star goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, who did not start the period. Early on, the Rangers’ Chris Kreider brought the score to 6-3 during the Rangers power play. The rest of the final period proved to be scoreless.
Matt Murray
Goalie Matt Murray’s return has proven to be a major gain for the Penguins. Making major saves in both the second and third periods, Murray helped to keep the Penguins’ large lead. With Marc-Andre Fleury still out with a concussion, Murray has picked up the slack.
Murray has recently returned from his own upper-body injury, winning all three games he played during this round against the Rangers.
What’s Next?
The Penguins will either face the Washington Capitals or the Philadelphia Flyers; the Capitals lead the series three games to two, but Philadelphia has won the last two.
