GNT | Ragamuffins @ Penguins | 4.5.13 | 7:00pm

[evolver115]

v

It simply may be a coincidence that the Pittsburgh Penguins have dropped both games without injured captain Sidney Crosby following their impressive 15-game winning streak.

The New York Rangers, meanwhile, hope it's more than just happenstance that they played so well with their newest additions.

Pittsburgh looks to get back on track while preventing playoff-hopeful New York from winning a third straight game as the teams complete a home-and-home set Friday night at Consol Energy Center.

Crosby suffered a broken jaw after being hit with a puck during Saturday's 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders, and his surgery will keep the NHL's scoring leader out indefinitely.

The Penguins (28-10-0) had their win streak snapped with a 4-1 home loss to Buffalo on Tuesday before being routed 6-1 at Madison Square Garden the following night.

Pascal Dupuis, who scored his 18th goal Wednesday, said Pittsburgh can't dwell on the loss of Crosby.

"It's going to have to be the guys in this locker room. Syd isn't coming back on Friday," Dupuis said. "It has nothing to do with skill level. It has to do with battle level, and wanting it more. We can't seem to find it the last couple of days."

While Pittsburgh remains atop the Eastern Conference, New York (18-15-3) is battling the Islanders and New Jersey for one of the final playoff spots.

The Rangers helped their cause Wednesday, playing with plenty of intensity just hours after dealing Marian Gaborik prior to the trade deadline. Center Derick Brassard and defenseman John Moore were acquired from Columbus in the Gaborik deal -- along with injured winger Derek Dorsett -- and they arrived roughly 15 minutes before pregame warmups.

Brassard proceeded to score a goal and add three assists while Moore scored his first goal of the season.

"I didn't have time to be nervous. I was stressed out with everything," Brassard said. "It's a great experience I am going to remember for the rest of my life."

Ryane Clowe, acquired from San Jose on Tuesday, also wasted little time making his presence felt in his Rangers debut. He netted his first goal of the season in the first period before scoring on the power play in the second.

"The new guys gave us a spark -- more than a spark," said Brian Boyle, who had a goal and three assists. "It was just cool to welcome them."

The Rangers ended a seven-game losing streak to the Penguins and now hope to win in Pittsburgh, where they've been shut out twice while dropping the last three matchups.

"It just seems we've been on our heels playing Pittsburgh, and we need to be more on our toes," coach John Tortorella said. "We just need to temper it. We're still fighting for our lives."

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma saw the desperation in the Rangers and believes his team needs to come out with similar intensity Friday to end its skid.

"I thought the compete level from the Rangers and their game was very high, and we certainly didn't match it," Bylsma said. "We got beat by a team that competed harder and was more desperate."

Marc-Andre Fleury faced 39 shots Wednesday in an uncharacteristic performance after posting a 0.64 goals-against average while winning his previous five starts, including a 23-save, 3-0 win over New York on March 16.

It's unclear if Fleury will be in net again Friday, though the Rangers likely will go with Henrik Lundqvist, who made 26 saves Wednesday.

Lundqvist is 5-2-1 with a 1.72 GAA over his last eight starts.

LETS GO PENS ​

 

[forty_three]

LETS GO PENS ​

Indeed.

 

[awaz]

i want the rangers to lose this game.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Re-cy-cling?

 

[pixburgher66]

Really need Geno to step it up the next few weeks. Come on buddy.

 

[evolver115]

Duper sent one right across the goal mouth, but no dice.

 

[evolver115]

Good pace to this one tonight. Both teams brought their A game, feels like the playoffs

 

[Darkstone42]

Why is Engelland in over Despres?

 

[evolver115]

Why is Engelland in over Despres?

Good point. Dan has Bortuzzo in over him, as well. Don't get it.

 

[evolver115]

The hits are coming fast and furious in this one. Love it

 

[pixburgher66]

Morrow with his best performance as a Pen. Murray solid. I like the way Malkin and Sutter's line are rolling, and the fourth line w/ TK is perfect. In fact, when Sid's back, putting Jokinen down there is just great. Really need Geno to step it up though. He's flying out there, but the play making is still missing.

 

[DevilishWon]

lose rag$ lose....

 

[evolver115]

Hope Sutter is ok...

 

[pixburgher66]

Hopefully Sutter's okay...because losing him would be gigantic...

 

[evolver115]

Weak ass call.

 

[pixburgher66]

That's a terrible penalty call. Holding? Holding what?

 

[thedddd]

Ok before the call i was kinda tuning out Steigy did he seriously try to say that Stepan purposely tried to hurt Sutter on that one faceoff?

 

[evolver115]

Flower flashin the leather

 

[pixburgher66]

That was such a great defensive play by Eaton too...Nash had him beat, dove back, got all puck, got back up to retrieve the puck.

 

[evolver115]

Ok before the call i was kinda tuning out Steigy did he seriously try to say that Stepan purposely tried to hurt Sutter on that one faceoff?

That's affirmative