Pens 3, Rangers 1

Well one thing that can be said about the young Penguins is they are a quick study. One night after allowing the Power Play to cost them a game, they used the Power Play to get them a much needed win. The Pens were an ok 2 for 11 on the Power Play and were able to convert on two 5 on 3s the Rangers gave for the difference in the game. The Penalty Kill was also able to keep the Rangers off the board by killing of 6 Ranger Power Plays. The Pens were able to have the 2 goal difference in Special Teams which they were down by against the Sabers.

Staal started off the scoring on the first 5 on 3 midway through the first period. The goal also ended a long string for the Pens in giving up the first goal of the game and allowed them to move to 5 - 0 when they scored first. The game was pretty much back and forth for the next 20 mins with very few whistles. The Pens were then able to use another 5 on 3 to get their insurance goal. Recchi was able to get his own rebound off a pass from Gonchar and put the puck through the 5 hole. The goal proved to be huge a little later when Whitney made a bad clearing attempt that allow Shanahan to skate in on Fleury and slip one barely under him. Recchi then restored the 2 goal lead for the Penguins when Armstrong was able to get one up the boards to Crosby, who then feed it to Recchi on a nice saucer pass and Recchi put it home. The Rangers then never really threatened the rest of the way.

This game was the first in a long line of games against the Atlantic division. This should hopefully do wonders for the Pens if they show up every game as they are now 7 - 1 against them. If that continues the Pens could be back on top of the division before too long.

Next up are the hopefully tired Flyers on Monday...