Faceoff Factor

Round 2 Preview: Penguins vs Rangers

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Apr 24, 08:03 AM | Hype this story!

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Penguins (2) vs. Rangers (5) Conference Semifinals Preview
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Irony is defined as an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected. As Jaromir Jagr plays what could be his final games in the NHL, few would have guessed they might come against the team that drafted him and with which he played most of his career.

Sadly, Jagr’s year has been a great disappointment, so much so, that he isn’t even being considered a major factor in this series — aside from his ties to Pittsburgh and the potential outburst that has been seen on the rare occasion in recent months.

Instead, the focus has shifted in another direction…or maybe two.

First off, you have the dual of the goal.

For Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury has been nothing short of spectacular since returning from three-month hiatus while recovering from a high ankle sprain. His stellar performance backstopped the Penguins to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference and a first round sweep of the Ottawa Senators.

In New York, “King Henry,” Henrik Lundqvist, is having yet another All-Star season. Fresh off a Vezina Trophy nomination, he has been a brick wall and a stabilizing presence for the Blueshirts.

Both have proven their worth to this point, but neither have what they truly want. The goalie who outshines the other will be the one who gets one step closer to the Stanley Cup.

Focal point two is one that could be quite entertaining, as two of the NHL’s most hated agitator’s square off against one another.

Sean Avery, whose distraction antics against Martin Brodeur led to league action, widely is known as the dirtiest player in the game. But beyond his abilities to get under his opponents’ skin, Avery has plenty of talent.

While Jarkko Ruutu may not have the natural skill of Avery, he has the veteran leadership and composure that helps teams win Cups. His goals are few and far between, but when he does score, it’s at a significant time.

There are plenty of other points to mention about this series, such as the Staal brother connection (Jordan for Pittsburgh and Marc for New York) or the skilled Penguins offense versus the trapping style of the Rangers, but what the series will come down to is who has the stronger desire to win.

If the Penguins can carry over the desire possessed in round one, they surely will be a tough team to defeat.

For Faceoff Factor staff predictions, click here.

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Team Numbers
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Regular Season Standings
Pittsburgh: 54-21-7; 115 pts; 1st Atlantic; 2nd Eastern; 4th NHL
NY Rangers: 42-27-13; 97 pts; 3rd Atlantic; 5th Eatern; 9th NHL

Regular Season Records
Pittsburgh: 29-9-3 at home; 25-12-4 on the road; 3-3-2 vs. NYR
NY Rangers: 25-13-3 at home; 17-14-10 on the road; 5-3-0 vs. Pit

Playoff Special Teams
Pittsburgh: PP, 26.1% (3rd); PK, 92.3% (1st)
NY Rangers: PP, 23.5% (4th); PK, 79.2% (9th)

Playoff Scoring
Pittsburgh: 16 GF (10th); 4.0 GF/G (1st); 5 GA (1st); 1.25 GA/G (1st)
NY Rangers: 19 GF (5th); 3.8 GF/G (2nd); 12 GA (3rd); 2.40 GA/G (6th)

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Player Leaders
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Playoff Goals
Pittsburgh: Sykora (3); Crosby/Malkin/Malone/Roberts (2)
NY Rangers: Gomez/Dubinsky/Avery (3)

Playoff Assists
Pittsburgh: Crosby (6); Malkin (5); Hossa (4)
NY Rangers: Jagr (6); Straka (5); Gomez (4)

Playoff Points
Pittsburgh: Crosby (8); Malkin (7); Malone/Hossa (5)
NY Rangers: Jagr (8); Gomez (7); Dubinsky/Straka (7)

Playoff Penalty Minutes
Pittsburgh: Roberts (16); Whitney (9); Staal (8)
NY Rangers: Backman (10); Duninsky (8); Avery/Callahan/Shanahan (6)

Playoff Wins
Pittsburgh: Fleury (4)
NY Rangers: Lundqvist (4)
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Injuries
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Pittsburgh: Roberts, DTD (Groin)
NY Rangers: Staal, DTD (Foot); Orr, DTD (Broken Toe)

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Series Schedule
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GAME 1: April 25 @ Pittsburgh
7:00 p.m. ET VERSUS, CBC

GAME 2: April 27 @ Pittsburgh
2:00 p.m. ET NBC, CBC

GAME 3: April 29 @ N.Y. Rangers
7:00 p.m. ET VERSUS, CBC

GAME 4: May 1 @ N.Y. Rangers
7:00 p.m. ET VERSUS, CBC

~GAME 5: May 4 @ Pittsburgh
2:00 p.m. ET NBC, CBC

~GAME 6: May 5 @ N.Y. Rangers
7:00 p.m. ET VERSUS, CBC

~GAME 7: May 7 @ Pittsburgh
TBD CBC

~if necessary