Despite coming into the game with a four game winning streak and facing a team that has struggled for most of the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins looked more like a team going northbound on a southbound highway.
The Penguins dominated much of the first period, leading in shots 10-2 and scoring chances 7-1, at one point. But the Rangers scored twice within 1:05 and never looked back. Henrik Lundqvist was stellar, particularly in the first. Lundqvist stonewalled Sidney Crosby in the opening minute of the game, then again on a cross-crease pass later in the period. He was easily New York’s best player when the rest of the team struggled to find its legs early in the contest.
Eventually, the Rangers did find their legs.
Brian Boyle won a puck battle behind the Pittsburgh net and found Ryan McDonagh pinching towards the left wing circle. McDonagh received the pass from Boyle a ripped a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury for the 1-0 lead.
With 47 seconds remaining, Derek Stepan scored to increase the New York lead to two. Mats Zuccarello took advantage of a Dustin Jeffrey turnover and turned the play the other way. Zuccarello lobbed the puck and Stepan won a foot race before beating Fleury on a wide angle shot.
Brian Boyle scored off an odd man rush to make it a 3-0 game 13:10 into the second period.
The Penguins finally scored on their fourth power play of the game. Evgeni Malkin tried to center to Chris Kunitz but the puck was initially kept out by Lundqvist. Kris Letang swooped in and jabbed the puck under Lundqvist and into the net for his third goal of the season.
Any momentum off the goal was immediately eradicated on Ryan Callahan’s goal 1:14 later. Carl Hagelin stopped at the right point, turned and fired towards the net. The puck was deflected by Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan before going into the net.
Derick Brassard added a fifth goal, just for good measure, for the Rangers mid way through the final frame. Derek Dorsett throw the puck on goal and Fleury kicked out a huge rebound for Brassard to bang home.
- Ryan Callahan has a goal in four straight games.
- Sidney Crosby hasn’t scored since October 25th.
- Despite the loss, the Penguins have still won nine of their last fourteen at Madison Square Garden.
Three Stars
- Henrick Lundqvist
- Brian Boyle
- Mats Zuccarello
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
