Game 73 Preview: Penguins At Rangers

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 18, 08:27 AM | Hype this story!
W L OTL Pts.
2 2 1 5
 
Pts. W L OTL
6 3 2 0

7:00 @ Madison Square Garden
Versus Network
 
Inside The Game
It seems like weeks since I have put together a game preview because, well, it has been.  With a hectic work schedule and a rather light Pittsburgh Penguins schedule, things just happened to click in a way that prevented me from getting to the previews.  But I’m back and shouldn’t have too much trouble the rest of the way, though I can’t guarantee anything.

With two consecutive seven-goal games, the Penguins will take the at Madison Square Garden to play the Broadway Blueshirts, or, as the NHL recognizes them, the New York Rangers, who have lost their last two games to non-playoff Florida-based teams.

 The Penguins are riding a modest three game winning streak, while the Rangers had collected points in 13 consecutive games before losing their last two to Tampa Bay and Florida.

Once again, forward Sidney Crosby will sit as he nurses his sprained ankle, but forward Petr Sykora, who has been battling a sore back, doesn’t plan to miss any action in the near future.

"When you go to the game and the adrenaline is going and you have excitement, you forget how you feel," Sykora said to Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  Sykora, who has six points in his last two games, was named the NHL second star of the week for last week, has been an integral part of the team’s winning combination, a line that also showcases Evgeni Malkin, who sits two points behind Alexander Ovechkin in the scoring race, and Ryan Malone, who is having a career year in nearly every offensive category.

"To be out there with those two guys and be on the power play and get the chances I’m getting – the pain goes away real quick."

For the Penguins, the key to success will be to continue the barrage of offense, peppering shot after shot on Henrik Lundqvist, who is nothing short of spectacular.  The more the Penguins have the puck, the less chances the offensively-talented Rangers will get.

With the playoffs just weeks away, the intensity is ratcheting up, and the atmosphere has changed.  Tonight will be exciting to say the least.

And, with a Penguins win and a Montreal Canadiens loss tonight, the Penguins will squeak into first place in the division and conference for the time being.

Probable to start in goal are Ty Conklin for Pittsburgh and Lundqvist for New York.
 
Standings
  GP W L OT Pts Division Conference League
Penguins 72 41 24 7 89 2, Atlantic 4, Eastern 5, NHL
Rangers 72 37 26 9 83 3, Atlantic 6, Eastern 13, NHL
                 
Team Statistics
  GF GA PP% PK% Home Away L 10 Streak
Penguins 220 196 20.6 80.6 21-10-5 20-14-2 6-3-1 3 wins
Rangers 188 177 16.4 83.3 22-13-1 15-13-8 7-2-1 2 losses
                 
Team Leaders
  Stat Penguins   Stat Rangers
Goals 41 Malkin Goals 22 Drury
Assists 56 Malkin Assists 51 Gomez
Points 97 Malkin Points 67 Gomez
PIMs 128 Laraque PIMs 155 Orr
Wins 18 Conklin Wins 32 Lundqvist
 
Injuries
Penguins Injury Rangers Injury
Crosby, DTD
Scuderi, DTD
Beech, IR
Hall, IR
Roberts, IR
Eaton, IR		 Sore Ankle
Fractured Finger
Broken Right Wrist
Sports Hernia Surgery
Broken Left Leg/Ankle Sprain
Torn ACL		 Mara, IR Facial Surgery
       
Note: Info up-to-date as of 9:23 am, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.

Comments

  1. Matt Bodenschatz

    Mar 18, 08:56 PM

    It’s disappointing to see them team come out as uninspired as they did tonight. The offense wasn’t there, the defense wasn’t there and the goaltending wasn’t there.

    I think several things became clear against the Rangers:

    First, Crosby is very much needed, despite what the team’s record without him might indicate.

    Second, Conklin has lost a lot of his mojo and may very well have lost his starting job tonight — despite a weak defense in front of him.

    Third, Dupuis has been a spectacular addition and Hossa is starting to round into shape after missing two weeks with a knee injury.

    Fourth, this team, despite all it’s talent, needs to play with passion and desire in order to win. Nothing will be handed to them from this point forward.

  2. DaBich

    Mar 19, 08:00 AM

    Uhhh….Matt dahling, the game was on FSN, not Versus as your post indicates. LOL

    And yes, what you pointed out is very apparent, hopefully MT sees it all as well.

    I’m thrilled with Dupuis, and Hossa definitely showed me more last night. They are definitely a good addition.

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Mar 19, 08:39 AM

    Yes, I realized that when I turned on Versus and saw the Flyers/Atlanta game. My source (ESPN) said the game was on Versus.

    As for Dupuis and Hossa — this may be Dupuis’ breakout opportunity. I’m not sure which line he played on in Atlanta, but I’m sure he wasn’t on a scoring line. Maybe an opportunity with skilled forwards is all he needed. And Hossa is getting better and better. It only stands to reason he won’t be 100% after the knee injury for a while, but he’s gradually getting there. At age 28, he’s a six-time All Star…he’s got some moves.

  4. DaBich

    Mar 19, 01:42 PM

    You know I HAD to bust on ya ;)

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