On Friday night, the New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden in the Metropolitan Division's biggest contest. The Rangers (13-10-1) had lost four of their last five games and made a big move by trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks before the game. The Penguins (11-12-4), on the other hand, have won four straight games against tough opponents. With a win, the Penguins would leapfrog the Rangers and take over the second wild card spot.
Related: Ducks Get Trouba From Rangers In Exchange For Vaakanainen, 4th-Round Pick
Between the pipes, Igor Shesterkin got the start for the Rangers after signing an eight-year extension. For the Penguins, they turned to Alex Nedeljkovic to continue their hot streak.
Recap of the game
At the beginning of the first half, both teams were under pressure in the attack zone. The first big chance came 4:10 into the period from Philip Tomasino, but Shesterkin was in perfect position to take the shot that came to the Rangers.
Artemi Panarin was sent to the box at 12:15, checking the penalty kill that ranked second in the league. Despite some chances, the Penguins couldn't capitalize.
After a fast-paced, back-and-forth second half, the Penguins found themselves in the lead. Out of the penalty box and in the scoring column, Blake Lizotte scored at 6:19.
The Rangers answered at 7:28 with a blazing slap shot from Panarin that ricocheted off the post and into the net. With it looking like it would be 1-1 in the third period, Panarin scored his second of the night to make it 2-1 with halftime left in the second period.
In the third period, the Penguins flipped the switch to go ahead. Tomasino continued his hot start with the Penguins, tying the game 2-2 at 8:29. The Rangers needed just one more run to make it a 3-2 game at 9:53. Former Penguin Reilly Smith hit a home run after having a great night.
Vincent Trocheck increased the Rangers' lead to two at 18:22 to all but close the game. Shesterkin earned the win, stopping 18 of the 22 shots he faced. Nedeljkovic made 28 saves in the loss.
The Penguins have a quick turnaround as they return to Pittsburgh to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The Rangers will host the Seattle Kraken in Sunday's game.
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