Penguins Eliminate Rangers, Send a Message With 11 Goals in Two Games

Image via Zimbio

After being eliminated by the New York Rangers in each of the two previous postseasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins got their revenge, ousting their tormentors easily in a 4-1 series. They also sent a very powerful message to whichever unfortunate team draws them in the second round.

Despite having one of the game’s best goaltenders in Henrik Lundqvist, the Pens absolutely dominated the Rangers and their painfully anemic offense. In Games 4 and 5 alone, Lundqvist gave up a stunning 11 goals in just four periods—he was benched in the third period of both contests.

Outscored 21-10 over five games, Lundqvist bears only a portion of the responsibility for the Rangers loss. Their offense was simply no match for the firepower boasted by the Penguins. And this isn’t a recent development—they have scored just one goal in their last 13 playoff periods at home in Madison Square Garden.

The Pens, on the other hand, finally look like a team with no less than three franchise players on offense. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have combined for 21 points thus far. Pittsburgh has 13 other players on the score sheet in these playoffs too, proving they have the deep bench necessary to make a very serious run at a fourth Stanley Cup.

Given the world-class talent on the Penguins offense, it comes as no surprise that they continue to find the back of the net. The real surprise has been the play of rookie netminder Matt Murray, who has been a veritable brick wall filling in for franchise goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, sidelined with a concussion for going on three weeks.

Taking over for Jeff Zatkoff in Game 3, Murray won three straight for the Pens, blanking the Rangers on all 31 shots in a Game 4 shutout. With Fleury reportedly “close” to making his return, Murray has really given coach Mike Sullivan something to think about with his 1.33 goals against and .955 save percentage.

Of course, there are much worse problems to have than being forced to choose between two exceptional goaltenders in the postseason—just ask the Rangers.