Game 19: Rangers Vs. Penguins Preview
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to continue their winning ways Monday night when they host the New York Rangers.
Two wins on back-to-back nights over the weekend have given the Penguins a confidence boost after a third period collapse against Boston on Nov. 10.
Marc-Andre Fleury was in goal for both games and came up with key saves late in both games to preserve the wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Atlanta Thrashers.
Pittsburgh (9-8-1-19 poins) will have fresher legs than their opponents tonight, who played Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers (9-7-1-19 points) trounced the Edmonton Oilers 8-2 in a game that turned nasty late. Six fighting majors and four game misconducts were issued at 11:18 of the third period.
The melee started after an apparent clean hit by Rangers pest Sean Avery.
In all, the teams combined for 154 penalty minutes in the game.
Marian Gaborik had a hat trick and Martin Biron made 19 saves as the Rangers moved into a tie with the Penguins in the Atlantic Division.
Henrik Lundqvist (6-5-1, 2.68 GAA, .918 save percentage) was held out of the last two games due to illness and it's not yet known if he will suit up against the Pens.
Lundqvist has performed well against the Pens in his career by posting a 16-12 record with a 2.43 GAA and .910 save percentage with two shutouts.
The Rangers will also have a familiar face in the lineup as Ruslan Fedotenko makes his first trip back to Pittsburgh since signing with New York this summer.
Fedotenko has gotten off to a good start this season with three goals and six assists in 17 games.
According to the Penguins' official website, Pittsburgh is 16-5-7 against the Rangers in the regular season over the past four years.
The last time the Penguins lost to the Rangers in regulation at home was on Jan. 19, 2006. Since then, the Pens have gone 12-0-3 against New York in the regular season at home.
For Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby has been on fire of late, registering 12 points (six goals, six assists) in his last five games. It's also the first time he has had multiple points in five consecutive games.
He now trails Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos by one point in the NHL scoring race.
Fleury is expected to be back between the pipes Monday night. Fleury has posted a 16-8 record with a 2.74 GAA and .910 save percentage with two shutouts against the Rangers in his career.
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh.
