Game Thread: Pittsburgh Penguins(1) vs New York Rangers(2)

[Johnnydollaz89]

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord 15m
Rangers-Pens: Game 1 Friday at Pitt, 7; Game 2 Sun. at Pitt, 7:30; Game 3 Mon. at MSG 7:30; Game 4 Wed. at MSG 7:30

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord 14m
Rangers-Pens: Game 5 May 9 at Pitt, TBD; Game 6 May 11 at MSG, TBD; Game 7 May 13 at Pitt, TBD
Team Statistics:

Goals Per Game: 2.83 (9th)
Goals Against Per Game: 2.29 (2nd)
PP Efficiency: 10.3% (14th)
PK Efficiency: 71.4% (15th)
Face Off Efficiency: 48.4% (12th)


Team Leaders:

Goals: Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Dominic Moore, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello, Benoit Pouliot, Dan Carcillio (2)
Assists: Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards (4)
Points: Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards (6)
+/-: Marc Staal (+6)
PIM: Carl Hagelin (10)
TOI/G (Defenseman): Ryan McDonagh (25:04)
TOI/G (Forward): Martin St. Louis (19:45)


Starting Lineup:^

Rick Nash / Derek Stepan / Martin St. Louis
Benoit Pouliot / Derick Brassard / Mats Zuccarello
Carl Hagelin / Brad Richards "A" / Dan Carcillo
Brian Boyle / Dominic Moore / Derek Dorsett

Ryan McDonagh / Dan Girardi "A"
Marc Staal "A"/ Anton Strålman
John Moore / Kevin Klein

^ Subject to change


Starting Goaltender:

Henrik Lundqvist

GP: 6 | W: 3 | L: 3 | OT: 0
GA: 13 | SV%: .910 | GAA: 2.31 | SO: 0 N/A


Healthy Scratches:

Raphael Díaz
Jesper Fast
J.T.
Ryan Haggerty


Injuries, Suspensions, Misc:


[F] Chris Kreider [DTD] — Hand Surgery; Out indefinitely

Team Statistics:

Goals Per Game: 3.50 (3rd)
Goals Against Per Game: 3.00 (8th)
PP Efficiency: 20.7% (8th)
PK Efficiency: 74.1% (13th)
Face Off Efficiency: 48.4% (10th)


Team Leaders:

Goals: Evgeni Malkin, Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Sutter (3)
Assists: Paul Martin (8)
Points: Paul Martin (8)
+/-: Paul Martin (+7)
PIM: Kris Letang (10)
TOI/G (Defenseman): Paul Martin (27:19)
TOI/G (Forward): Sidney Crosby (21:50)


Starting Lineup:^

Chris Kunitz "A" / Sidney Crosby "C" / Evgeni Malkin "A"
Jussi Jokinen / Brandon Sutter / James Neal
Beau Bennett / Marcel Goc / Lee Stempniak
Tanner Glass / Joe Vitale / Craig Adams

Kris Letang / Paul Martin
Rob Scuderi / Robert Bortuzzo
Olli Maatta / Matt Niskanen

^ Subject to change


Starting Goaltender:

Marc-Andre Fluery

GP: 6 | W: 4 | L: 2 | OT: 0
GA: 18 | SV%: .908 | GAA: 2.81 | SO: 0


Healthy Scratches:

N/A


Injuries, Suspensions, Misc:

[F] Pascal Dupuis [IR] — Knee surgery; Out for season

[D] Brooks Orpik [DTD] — Undisclosed injury; No timetable

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I think you guys might be the better team this series Johnny. Pens defense has been abysmal, our goaltending is hit & miss, & our offense hasn't been too hot either. We made the Blue Jackets look like a seasoned playoff team. Can't even hold 3 goal leads against the BJ's, don't like our chances against the Rangers. Hope I'm wrong but they would have to really flip a switch to find their game like the Kings did after game 3 in order for me to believe that my Pens will advance to the next round.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

I think you guys might be the better team this series Johnny. Pens defense has been abysmal, our goaltending is hit & miss, & our offense hasn't been too hot either. We made the Blue Jackets look like a seasoned playoff team. Can't even hold 3 goal leads against the BJ's, don't like our chances against the Rangers. Hope I'm wrong but they would have to really flip a switch to find their game like the Kings did after game 3 in order for me to believe that my Pens will advance to the next round.

Most of it depends on which MAF shows up, the Cup winner, or the playoff meltdown version. We need to be better disciplined and stay out of the box. The Penguins power play is deadly. Much better than Philly's. It's going to be a close series, I ultimately see this one going 7 for sure.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Most of it depends on which MAF shows up, the Cup winner, or the playoff meltdown version. We need to be better disciplined and stay out of the box. The Penguins power play is deadly. Much better than Philly's. It's going to be a close series, I ultimately see this one going 7 for sure.

If MAF can hold his composure I like our chances better. Still tho, our defense is so pathetic, even if MAF stands strong we'll give up goals galore. I think one good thing the Flyers did well was establish a strong & consistent forecheck to somewhat rattle Ranger dmen, we 'll have to do something like that or else we probably lose in 5 or 6.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

If MAF can hold his composure I like our chances better. Still tho, our defense is so pathetic, even if MAF stands strong we'll give up goals galore. I think one good thing the Flyers did well was establish a strong & consistent forecheck to somewhat rattle Ranger dmen, we 'll have to do something like that or else we probably lose in 5 or 6.

Well, i'm sure Crosby and Malkin line will see plenty of Mac/G and if they play like they did in this past series, we're gonna be in big trouble. I trust Staalsy against those 2, but not sure about Stralman.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Well, i'm sure Crosby and Malkin line will see plenty of Mac/G and if they play like they did in this past series, we're gonna be in big trouble. I trust Staalsy against those 2, but not sure about Stralman.

Should be a good matchup. I wonder if they'll put both McDonagh & Girardi on Sid or if they'll split them up so 1 matches up with Sid & the other matches up with Geno. We'll see tho.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Should be a good matchup. I wonder if they'll put both McDonagh & Girardi on Sid or if they'll split them up so 1 matches up with Sid & the other matches up with Geno. We'll see tho.

No shot they're split up, they're too good together.

 

[NorthCoastSteelersFan]

Nice job against the Flyers.

Let's have a good series, with no split skulls on either side.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Nice job against the Flyers.

Let's have a good series, with no split skulls on either side.

Agreed!!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I just hope my Pens could play with a lead in this series. Once we go up 2 goals we call it a game.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

We'll see, I hope Hank of last night shows up. Need him to stay hot.

 

[David_son]

Question is when Kreider comes back do you sit Carcillo or Dorsett. I almost want to say Boyle but its a tough decision.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Question is when Kreider comes back do you sit Carcillo or Dorsett. I almost want to say Boyle but its a tough decision.

Dorsett, that way you put Carcillo on line 4 with Boyle and Moore. Boyle is not sitting, he's finally playing physical and using his body the right way. He played a great game last night.

 

[David_son]

Dorsett, that way you put Carcillo on line 4 with Boyle and Moore. Boyle is not sitting, he's finally playing physical and using his body the right way. He played a great game last night.

I think Dorsett played a good series against Philly but Carcillo just ramped it up there is no way you can sit him after the series he had.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I would scratch Dorsett. Boyle is a good penalty killer, Carcillo has really up 'd his game, not quite sure what Dorsett does besides taking bad penalties.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Dorsett would be the guy, but Kreids is nowhere near ready

 

[David_son]

Dorsett would be the guy, but Kreids is nowhere near ready

NHL #20 Chris Kreider - ESPN


Hopeful that he can play against the Pens

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

NHL #20 Chris Kreider - ESPN


Hopeful that he can play against the Pens

I hope so.

 

[JBM73]

Even if he does return it's doubtful he will be anywhere near 100% for awhile. Zuccarello struggled for the first couple of weeks after returning from his hand injury.