Game Thread: Rivalry Night: @ New York Rangers

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 11-4-0 (22 points, 0.733 pct)
Road record: 4-2-0 (8 points, 0.667 pct)
Last 10: 7-3-0 (14 points, 0.700 pct)
Streak: +4
GFA: 3.13
GAA: 2.20
PP%:21.1%
PK%: 81.0%
Projected lineup:
L1: Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
L2: Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - Jayson Megna
L3: Tanner Glass - Brandon Sutter - Craig Adams
L4: Dustin Jeffrey - Joe Vitale - Deryk Engelland
D1: Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
D2: Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang
D3: Olli Maatta - Robert Bortuzzo
G: Marc-Andre Fleury

New York Rangers
Overall record: 6-8-0 (12 points, 0.429 pct)
Home record: 2-2-0 (4 points, 0.500 pct)
Last 10: 5-5-0 (10 points, 0.500 pct)
Streak: -1
GFA: 1.86
GAA: 2.86
PP%: 19.6%
PK%: 82.4%
Projected lineup:
L1: Carl Hagelin - Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan
L2: Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello
L3: Taylor Pyatt - Brian Boyle - Benoit Pouliot
L4: Brandon Mashinter - Derick Brassard - Derek Dorsett
D1: Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
D2: Marc Staal - Anton Stralman
D3: John Moore - Michael Del Zotto
G: Henrik Lundqvist

Series notes
All-time: Rangers lead series 118-104-9 plus 23 ties
Last season: Pens won series 4-1-0
Last meeting: 4/5/13 @ Pittsburgh, Pens won 2-1 in SO

Doob's view
Pens have had the Rangers' number for the past few years, but that could've been due to the John Tortorella system which stressed shot blocking and left open passing lanes. I guess it really depends on which Ranger team shows up this game. There have been times this season where the Rangers have looked like a very good team, particularly on defense. Then there are other times where the Rangers have looked absolutely horrible. I believe we'll get the best out of the Rangers in this game, but I still pick the Pens to prevail 3-2.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

The Doobster will never again go out drinking during Penguin games on weeknights. Woke up absolutely miserable and I don't even have a hangover. Pens game really ruined everything. Oh well, weekends are still doable.

 

[scoutyjones2]

This team sucks...they can't play D, Fleury relapses, Malkintent is non existent and drops down to barely a top 50 forward in the league, Crosby refuses to shoot, PP absolutely pathetic, and the D is putrid, which can't be stated enough...Bortuzzo sucks

Move Engelland back to D, make Letang the forward he wants to be on Malkintent's line...that's a start

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

This team sucks...they can't play D, Fleury relapses, Malkintent is non existent and drops down to barely a top 50 forward in the league, Crosby refuses to shoot, PP absolutely pathetic, and the D is putrid, which can't be stated enough...Bortuzzo sucks

Move Engelland back to D, make Letang the forward he wants to be on Malkintent's line...that's a start

I agree scouty, only reason we're 1st place is because our division sucks. I am not happy with the Pens' play at all. Especially Geno, who seems to be more focused on Sochi than the season at hand. Hopefully things change. Pens don't really turn it on until March anyways, so I guess we'll have to wait & see.

 

[thedddd]

I agree with both of you that game was pathetic and Malkin is living up to that contract <sarcasm>.

Just think of this reality if they keep up this mediocracy next year they will be paying just under 17 million a year for Letang and Malkin.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I agree with both of you that game was pathetic and Malkin is living up to that contract <sarcasm>.

Just think of this reality if they keep up this mediocracy next year they will be paying just under 17 million a year for Letang and Malkin.

I just hope Geno is just focused on Sochi and that's why he doesn't seem so focused on the season.

 

[thedddd]

I just hope Geno is just focused on Sochi and that's why he doesn't seem so focused on the season.

Yeah or they need Crosby to get hurt so he actually tries.

But this comment from Glass sums up the season:

"Some nights," left wing Tanner Glass told the team's official website, "we don't mentally have it. It's concerning."

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Yeah or they need Crosby to get hurt so he actually tries.

But this comment from Glass sums up the season:

"Some nights," left wing Tanner Glass told the team's official website, "we don't mentally have it. It's concerning."

I agree with Glass, some guys just don't have their heads in the game.