After turning around what could have been a dismal five game losing streak, the Penguins pulled out a desperate win Thursday night against the Islanders. Now a bigger challenge presents itself tonight, as the Penguins look to break an otherwise solid Rangers team.
Winners in eight of their last nine, the Rangers have quickly risen to the top of the Atlantic Division thanks to an offense that has finally decided to play and a goaltender who has never faltered. It must come as some relief to Lundqvist knowing that he can now give up one goal and not have to worry about taking the loss too.
From where the Penguins stand, they're hoping he'll give up more than one. In the previous two meetings, each team has walked away with a win. The more recent came from the Rangers with a 4-2 win a little over a week ago in New York. Prior to that, Marc-Andre Fleury registered his first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win at home. He's expected to start tonight, in favor of second-string and/or first-string rotator Dany Sabourin.
The battle of the goaltenders has continued for the Penguins, although it would almost seem to be settling in on MAF. In the Pens' most recent victory over the Islanders, Fleury pulled out his first win for the month of November. Although it would seem he's a bit more confident in net, Fleury's inability to offer up rebounds in front of the net can easily make the difference in a 3-2 win, or a 4-3 loss. Should that be the case tonight, it'll be up to the defense to clear the puck from the hands of the Rangers' forwards, particularly crashers Shanahan, Prucha and Dubinsky.
In case one were to be reading or watching the news this week in regards to Sean Avery's cancer related comments towards Toronto's Jason Blake, Blake stepped up earlier this week to deny the allegations. The real question now is, who started it? (cough Darcy Tucker cough)
That's all up for speculation though.
For the Pens to seal another victory tonight, they're going to have to prevent any early first period goals (or any at all for that matter) and be the first one to strike. Another disciplined game is necessary, as Avery's ability to get under Roberts' skin last game opened it up for the Rangers' powerplay unit to strike. Stay out of the box, in the Rangers' zone and keep hitting Lundqvist with shots.
Puck drops 7:30ish.
