Pens Win 2-0, Lead Series 2-0

Jonathan Farzalo | Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 27, 04:43 PM | Hype this story!
1 2 3 Tot.
0 0 0 0
 
Tot. 1 2 3
2 0 1 1
 
Series: Penguins (2) – Rangers (0)
 
Summary

After taking the back and forth, insanity filled contest of game 1 in the series, the Pittsburgh Penguins had the chance to take a 2-0 lead heading to New York, giving the Rangers something huge to think about.  Before the drop of the puck the Penguins were the only team in the playoffs yet to lose a game, and thanks to great goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury, a powerplay goal by Jordan Staal, and empty net goal by Adam Hall that’s also the way it ended.

After a free-for-all in game one, the Penguins knew they had to tighten up defensively, and not give up a 3-goal lead in the game; as New York is not a team that is usually easy to score against.  As a team, it was evident what their mindset was, as they were very effective this afternoon at taking away 2nd chances, limiting shots, and not giving away the puck as much.  Add to that stellar penalty killing and you have a recipe for a tight, exciting game.  The Penguins got the go-ahead goal on the powerplay via an excellent Evgeni Malkin pass out in front to Jordan Staal, who took it from backhand to forehand and roofed it over Henrik Lundqvist.  It stayed a 1-0 game until the final seconds, when Adam Hall, out killing a penalty, scored an empty netter off the glass and down the ice, as Hal Gill came thundering out of the penalty box.  

Next Game:  Tuesday, April 29 @ N.Y. 7:00 p.m. ET VERSUS, CBC

 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Marc-Andre Fleury PIT G 26 Save, Shutout
2 Jordan Staal PIT C 1 Goal
3 Henrik Lundqvist NYR G 30 Saves
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 14 9 9 - 32 20 37 1 5
NY Rags 10 9 7 - 26 37 20 0 6
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 - - - – -
2 13:55 PIT Jordan Staal Malkin Whitney
3 19:43 PIT Adam Hall Scuderi Gonchar
 
Penalty Summary
Per.
Team Penalty Time Player
1
 Pittsburgh interference – 2 min 2:57, R. Whitney
 NY Rangers holding – 2 min 4:25, S. Gomez
 Pittsburgh hooking – 2 min 10:41, J. Ruutu
 Pittsburgh unsportsmanlike – 2 min 13:34, K. Letang
 NY Rangers roughing – 2 min 13:34, P. Mara
 NY Rangers holding – 2 min 13:54, F. Tyutin
 Pittsburgh high sticking – 2 min 16:38, J. Ruutu
2
 NY Rangers hooking – 2 min 12:22, C. Drury
 Pittsburgh holding – 2 min 15:54, M. Hossa
3
 NY Rangers delay of game – 2 min 1:11, D. Girardi
 NY Rangers slashing – 2 min 5:57, B. Betts
 Pittsburgh high sticking – 2 min 13:54, P. Sykora
 Pittsburgh cross check – 2 min 17:38, H. Gill

Comments

  1. Tom

    Apr 27, 05:53 PM

    Jonathan, The Rangers are clearly tiring. They are old and many are slow. Hit them, keep shooting at Lundqvist, consistantly play the Pens’ fast pace and they are done. This was a fine defensive effort overall. Seems that Letang has angered the Rangers. Too bad the refs saved Avery at the end of play. He was about to become a punching bag for BGL and Gill. Keep the hitting, use the Pens’ superior speed and apply constant pressure and the Rangers can be swept as well.

  2. Doc Nagel

    Apr 27, 06:01 PM

    The NBC guys commented to that effect as well, but I don’t think I buy it. Frankly, the Pens’ forechecking was just too intense, and too smartly played, to let the Rangers pick up any speed.

    They’ll be all over the place in the first 10 minutes of game 3. Avery will ratchet up the nastiness, especially trying to get to Fleury.

    In any case, what’s with no penalties being called at the end of the game? I realize it’s kind of pointless, but they gave Straka the game misconduct after game 1, and I thought Gill should’ve gotten a roughing call, at least. Maybe Avery earned a slash as well.

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