New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) looks for the rebound during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, Thursday, April 21, 2016, in New York.
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Jaden Schwartz scored a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period for the second consecutive game as St. Louis moved to the brink of its first appearance in the Western Conference semifinals since 2012.
The Penguins ultimately bested the Rangers 3-1 and took a 2-1 series lead even though Mangold did his part to try and secure a Rangers victory.
Pittsburgh gave up just 17 shots on goal en route to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 3, grabbing some much-needed momentum in the postseason rivalry tilt. “So, we’ve just got to deal with it and focus on the next game”. “We’ve got to make sure we put the puck behind them and retrieve it. That’s when this team is at its best”. “He’s been good for us”.
NY came into Game 4 vowing to pick things up after being totally outplayed in a 3-1 loss Tuesday night. The Penguins have won 16 of their last 25 games when playing on the Rangers’ home ice. That goal took some of the sting out of a shorthanded goal the Penguins had given to New York’s Rick Nash 39 seconds into the period.
Cullen scored 16 goals during the regular season, his most since 2009-10, and had nine goals and 16 points in 24 games Malkin missed because of an upper-body injury.
How it happened: This one was over in a hurry as the Penguins brought their A speed game and the Rangers responded with what would charitably be described as their D-game. “That’s understandable”, Murray admitted.
The Penguins are 4-for-13 on the power play in the series while the Rangers are 1-for-12. Cullen capitalized on one such mishap by Dan Boyle for a breakaway goal through Lundqvist’s five-hole for the game victor.
Series: Penguins lead Rangers 1-0. “It was bouncing a lot tonight”. It’s got to be the red line, chip it in, and go get it, because what we did, we just kept on trying to get through it, and this is not going to work. “I was able to control it and that was all I could ask for”. Kris Letang added the empty net goal to seal the deal.
Coach Alain Vigneault didn’t expect McDonagh to practice on Monday, but the defenseman got the go-ahead from the training staff and skated the entire session, which lasted a little less than an hour.
“For some reason, it was hard for us to create the big chances”, said Lundqvist, who exited Game 1 with an eye injury but returned for Game 2.
The New York Rangers had an opportunity to tie up this series by nights end, but unfortunately, things went south very quickly.
“I didn’t even know on the play if I hit (Dominic) Moore or Stalberg”.
Game 4 is Thursday night in NY.
And for a guy who hadn’t played in more than a month, Malkin didn’t look bad while he played 18:47, picking up a secondary assist on a third-period power-play goal. Coach Mike Sullivan called for a challenge after realizing that J.T. Miller might have been offsides as he came into the zone, he was and the goal was reversed. Rangers D Dylan McIlrath and D Raphael Diaz were healthy scratches.
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The Penguins clearly have a strong veteran presence on the ice, with Sidney Crosby and Malkin each playing in their 104th career playoff games.
