Tonight the New York Rangers (37-26-9) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-7) at MSG. The Penguins, fresh off consecutive seven-goal performances, will seek their fourth straight win on Tuesday when they visit the Rangers for the first of three meetings between the teams in the next two weeks. Star center Sidney Crosby, who led the league with 120 points last season, has missed the last two games and 23 of the last 26 due to a sprained ankle, and he said Friday he wouldn’t play for another week. But the Penguins have still managed seven goals in each of the last two contests without him, and they’re 13-6-4 this season with Crosby sidelined. They’ve won five of the last six overall, moving within a point of Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey on Sunday. Evgeni Malkin has 40 points in the 23 games Crosby has missed. The Rangers who’ve lost two straight, scoring just two total goals in the last two games. They had gone 10-0-3 in their previous 13, averaging 3.3 goals. The Rangers have gone 3-2-0 against the Penguins this season, and have won three straight at home against Pittsburgh, holding the Penguins to three total goals in those games. For a full recap go to Yahoo! Sports.
...tonight we'll find out if this past weekend was a hiccup or a disturbing trend. The Pens are a top tier team and if we can win tonight, I'll feel good about the final nine games. If we lose...I don't even want to think about that.
...Crosby continues to nurse an injured ankle and won't play, but that doesn't seem to matter as the Pens have scored 14 goals in their last two games (seven each against Buffalo and Philly). With Malkin (My pick for MVP), Staal and Hossa in the lineup the Rangers d better be ready.
...I know I sound like a broken record, but we need the power play to step up tonight. I'd love to see a 3 for 5, with Backman scoring all three. Not!!!
...I'm actually expecting a great effort out of this team tonight. After being embarrassed this weekend, you have to figure they'll be looking to prove to the fans that there will be no more letdowns this season.
...and Malik's back.
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