Game 16 Preview: Penguins Vs. Rangers

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 8, 02:22 PM | Hype this story!
Introduction

After falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in an uninspired effort last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to rebound tonight against former Penguin Jaromir Jagr and his New York Rangers. Read on.

And remember to check out Mike Adams’ Grade ‘A’ Reviews tomorrow morning.
 
The Matchup
Teams Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
Location Madison Square Garden: New York
Time 7:00 pm EST
Television Fox Sports Pittsburgh, TSN
Post-Game
 		 Grade ‘A’ Reviews
 
Inside The Game
The Penguins have lost five of their last seven games, making for a very disappointing stretch for the team many consider to be Stanley Cup contenders.  Part of the problem has been a lack of consistency — consistency from the goaltenders, consistency from the the forwards, consistency from the defensemen, and consistency from the coaching.  Not surprisingly, the team’s results have been, well, inconsistent.  Tonight, Marc-Andre Fleury will man the pipes for the first time in roughly a week, and the line combinations, which failed to produce much offense last night, likely will be juggled to some extent.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have been very consistent.  Their problem, however, is that they can find the back of the net.  In 15 games, the Blueshirts have found the back of the net just 27 times, an average of under two goals scored per game.  At the other end of the ice, the rearguards, led by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, have managed to limit the goals against to a stingy 26.  As has been the case for their first 15 games, Lundqvist is expected to start tonight.
 
Prediction
It’s quite difficult to predict anything with the Penguins these days.  Who would have predicted a 5-0 win Monday?  And, after such a dominant performance, who would have predicted such a terrible showing last night.

But, if I had to guess, I would expect the Penguins to lose tonight, as the Rangers are playing excellent defensively and their penalty kill is next to impossible to penetrate.

Final score: 2-0, Rangers win.
 
Team Stats
  GP W L OT Pts GF GA PP% PK% Last 10 Home/Road
Penguins 15 7 7 1 15 44 44 21.1 87.0 5-4-1 4-3-0, R
Rangers
 		 15
 		 7
 		 7
 		 1
 		 15
 		 27
 		 26
 		 15.6
 		 89.6
 		 5-4-1
 		 2-2-0, H
 
Team Leaders
Stat # Penguins Stat # Rangers
Goals 9 Crosby Goals 4 Shanahan
Assists 15 Malkin Assists 11 Jagr
Points 23 Crosby Points 14 Jagr
PIMs 20 Gonchar PIMs 26 Orr
Wins
 		 4
 		 Fleury
 		 Wins
 		 7
 		 Lundqvist
 
Note: Info up-to-date as of 12:56 pm, Thursday, November 8, 2007.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Nov 8, 03:03 PM

    I am not sure I will be watching. I’m depressed enough with the cold weather settling in!
    LOL

  2. Groove

    Nov 8, 05:26 PM

    In watching last nights game, it seemed to me the Pens had difficulty possessing the puck. No crispness whatsoever offensively. It will take a monumental effort tonight to win. We need Fleury to come up big. I’m optimistic though.

  3. StuporDave

    Nov 8, 05:50 PM

    The Pens just couldn’t establish the cycle last night. It seems to me like them establishing their presence on the cycle has the same effect as establishing the run does in football… It works the clock, grinds down the defense, and creates oppurtunities for the big play. The Flyers were winning the battles in the corners and kept the Pens from establishing much of an offensive presence. They were just stronger along the boards… When the Pens win the cycle game, more often than not it shows on the scoreboard. They do need to get some bodies in front of the net though and score some dirty goals.

  4. Aron

    Nov 8, 05:54 PM

    Matt edit your intro to Philadelphia Flyers.

  5. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 8, 05:59 PM

    Puck control is a big thing for this team. The more the Penguins have the puck, the less the defense has to do. Plus, with some of the offensive talent the Pens have, pucks are bound to go in, even in fluky situations, when they control it.

    Aron, sorry for the mistake. It’s been one of those weeks.

  6. DaBich

    Nov 9, 08:33 AM

    Aron, maybe matt can hire you for an editor ;)

    Matt, the offensive talent has been a now show for several games now. I wonder where it went and if it’s coming back?

  7. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 9, 09:33 AM

    It went with the lines. With the two best players on the top line, no other lines have a real chance of getting it going. It’s no excuse for lack of effort, but may explain why they can’t create anything.

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