Since acquiring Jarome Iginla last week, the Penguins continue to look completely lost on the ice.
The New York Rangers, on the other hand, needed a few hours to get their newly acquired players acclimated to playing in blue and red.
The Rangers handed the Penguins their second straight loss with a dominating 6-1 victory at MSG, Wednesday night. Newly acquired forwards, Derick Brassard and Ryane Clowe, and defenseman John Moore, each scored at least one goal and combined for eight points en route to what amounted to a statement game from the Rangers.
Clowe was dealt from the San Jose Sharks in return for three picks on the eve of the trade deadline. He entered Wednesday night’s game without a goal in 28 games with the Sharks this season, and left with two goals and three points. Brassard and Moore, along with Derek Dorsett who did not play, were dealt to Columbus earlier in the day for Marian Gaborik. Brassard finished with a goal and three assists while John Moore added a goal.
The Penguins had an opportunity early in the game to take the lead after a penalty to Ryan McDonagh but Jarome Iginla hit the post with a one-timer and before the end of the first period, the Rangers were up 3-0.
Brian Boyle deflected a slap shot by Brad Richards midway through the first period to give the Rangers the lead.
Two minutes later, Ryane Clowe kept the puck alive in the offensive zone and sent it down to Brad Richards in the corner. Richards found McDonagh in the slot completely alone who snapped the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury.
Exactly two minutes after the Rangers’ second goal, they got a third. Derek Stepan forced a turnover from Brooks Orpik and Clowe walked out in front of the net and back handed the puck in the net.
The Penguins were unable to recover in the second period. After a tripping penalty to Evgeni Malkin, Derick Brassard backhanded a shot over Fleury’s right shoulder to extend the lead to four.
Pascal Dupuis scored 34 seconds later, but the Rangers refused to give up the lead.
Ryane Clowe added a second goal on the power play, New York’s third power play tally of the night, and John Moore added a goal in the third to increase the lead to 6-1.
The score would stand up as the final and the Pittsburgh Penguins offered little resistance. After going a perfect 15-0 in the month of March, a NHL record, the Penguins are now 0-2 in the month of April with just ten games remaining before the playoffs.
The loss did not affect the top of the Eastern Conference standings as the Montreal Canadiens lost to Philadelphia, keeping the point disparity at five between the Pens and Habs. Montreal has two games in hand.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers moved ahead of the New Jersey Devils for seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins and Rangers will meet again on Friday at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
- After allowing nine goals over eleven games, the Penguins have allowed ten goals in their previous two combined.
- Ryane Clowe scored his first goal since April 5th of last year.
- Mark Eaton sat out with an illness and was replaced by Robert Bortuzzo.
Three Stars
- Ryane Clowe
- Derick Brassard
- Brad Richards
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
