Down 0-2 Monday Headlines

Here are today's headlines after the Rangers 2-0 loss to the Penguins yesterday...

Steve Zipay at Newsday notes..."If anything, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shown they can beat the Rangers in a number of ways."

Zipay also has an article in Newsday on the Rangers power play failures..."The Rangers were 4-for-17 on the power play in the five-game series against the Devils but are only 1-for-9 - Martin Straka's opening goal of this series Friday - in the first two games against Pittsburgh. Not only did the Rangers slide back into their perimeter-passing game, but they couldn't control the puck for long stretches."

Lynn Zinser at the New York Times says yesterday's loss puts the Rangers in a familiar position..."For all the changes the Rangers have made in the past year, for all their free-agent signings and their positioning as a contender, they find themselves in exactly the same hole they fell into last season: behind, 2-0, in a second-round playoff series that started with so much hope."

At the Daily News, John Dellapina says another referee's call doomed the Rangers..."The Rangers thought they at least had the game tied with 4:14 left, when Martin Straka swatted at a loose puck and sent it skittering through Marc-Andre Fleury's pads. But referee Dan O'Halloran lost sight and blew his whistle before the puck crossed the goal line, apparently having believed that Fleury had covered it."

Dellapina also has an article in the Daily News reporting on Jagr's confrontation with Crosby..."When referee Dan O'Halloran raised his arm and assessed a holding penalty to Tyutin for what appeared to be a standard check, Jagr was fed up. So when he and Crosby crossed paths near the Rangers bench, Jagr got in Crosby's face and, according to a couple of rinkside witnesses, told the Pittsburgh captain to stop diving and stay on his feet."

Larry Brooks at the New York Post says the players and coaches need to step it up..."If the players in uniform have to be sharper, then so does Tom Renney. The coach simply must ride his best players against a deep opponent. He must make adjustments on the fly."

Brooks also has an article in the Post on Jagr and Crosby..."...Jaromir Jagr obviously had issues with Sidney Crosby, twice yelling at him after getting in his face in the first period..."