Rangers vs Penguins: Rangers Cough Up Two-Goal Lead and Fall 4-3 in the Shootout
The New York Rangers put together another solid effort, but much like Tuesday, they just couldn’t find a way to pickup two points. The Rangers held a 3-1 lead during the second period but a late goal by Pittsburgh, followed by the tying goal in the third, spelled disaster for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin got the start in net for New York and turned aside 26 of the 29 shots he faced throughout the game.
1st Period
Bryan Rust (1) - Cody Ceci (1) & Evgeni Malkin (1) - 10:29
The Rangers had a great start in the opening minutes of this game, but unfortunately, all it took was one chance by Pittsburgh to jump out to an early lead. Cody Ceci’s point shot wound up taking a double deflection in front of the net, and slipped in behind Igor Shesterkin. Bryan Rust got the final touch on the puck before it came in on net, and the Penguins jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 10:29 mark.
2nd Period
Filip Chytil (2) - Phil Di Giuseppe (3) - 2:41
Following an encouraging opening period, the Rangers were finally able to break through just 2:41 into the second period. Phil Di Giuseppe created the chance by fighting off two defenders in the corner, and made a small little tap pass out to the center of the ice. Filip Chytil collected the puck, made a handful of fakes, and tucked the puck past Tristan Jarry with a Forsberg-esque goal. The highlight-reel goal gave Chytil his second goal of the season, and evened up the score for the Rangers.
Adam Fox (1) - Artemi Panarin (3) PPG - 5:18
A little over two minutes after Chytil’s tally, Adam Fox gave New York their first lead of the evening with a goal on the power play. The Rangers’ power play had looked good throughout the game, and they were finally rewarded with the go-ahead goal. Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox played catch at the blue line before Fox wired the return feed from Panarin. The group of bodies in front of the net made it difficult for Tristan Jarry to see, and the puck beat him just under the blocker hand.
Kaapo Kakko (2) - Phil Di Giuseppe (4) & K’Andre Miller (1) - 5:42
Kaapo Kakko capped of the Rangers’ three-goal explosion at the 5:42 mark following another wonderful play from Phil Di Giuseppe. Di Giuseppe saw Kakko cutting to the net uncontested, and fired a low shot on goal to generate a rebound. The puck kicked right out into the high slot for Kakko, and he shoveled in the loose puck to give New York a 3-1 lead in this game. K’Andre Miller also picked up his first career assist on the goal, which should be the first of many to come.
Jared McCann (1) - Evan Rodriguez (1) & Kris Letang (3) - 16:56
Despite the Rangers flying all throughout the second period, Jared McCann brought them back down to earth to pull Pittsburgh within a goal. The goal itself was a bit of a weird bounce as Ryan Lindgren appeared to push the puck into his own net with his glove. Based on the replay, it looked as if there was some miscommunication as Lindgren attempted to push the puck back within Shesterkin’s grasp. Igor was never able to locate the puck through the chaos in the crease though, and it just barely wobbled over the goal line.
3rd Period
Teddy Blueger (2) - Pierre-Olivier Joseph (1) & Kasperi Kapanen (2) - 11:23
After controlling a majority of the play throughout the game, the Penguins mounted the comeback late in the third period. As a result, the Penguins went to work in the offensive zone, and were rewarded with the tying goal at the 11:23 mark. Pierre-Olivier Joseph also picked up his first career NHL point after his shot bounced off the end boards, and out to the right side of the net. No one picked up Teddy Blueger as he drove the crease, and he tapped home the game-tying goal.
Shootout
Jake Guentzel opened the scoring for the Penguins in the shootout, and it wasn’t until the second round that Artemi Panarin tied the score back up. That brought up Kris Letang, who made a quick move to his backhand and absolutely shelfed the puck on Igor Shesterkin. That left the game on the stick of Tony DeAngelo, who came out for the third round and wound up partially falling as he got the shot off. Tristian Jarry was able to turn the shot aside and the Rangers fell to the Penguins after previously leading 3-1 in the game.
After coughing up a two-goal lead and falling in the shootout, the Rangers will have a schedule off day tomorrow before a rematch with the Penguins on Sunday night.
