Penguins Recap - Rangers 4 Penguins 3 in OT

by FrankD

Well, it's not exactly the way you start a win streak, but at least the Penguins squeaked a point out of the 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.  Although, they should have had the win.

It all looked good and great in the first period.  Crosby has a goal and an assist, Talbot steps up with a goal - just the kind of start the Pens needed against a team like the Rangers.  2-0 at the end of the first?  Damn right I'll take that.

But then it all fell apart, and started to look like the Pens' previous games against the Avalanche and Islanders whereby they scored two, then gave up three straight for the loss.  The Pens managed to notch a shorthanded goal in the first, but the Rangers answered back with the same in the second.  In addition to two others.  I will admit though- having Crosby on the penalty kill was a quality move on Therrien's part.  I'd like to see some more of that.

Heading in to the third with the Rangers up 3-2, the Penguins started to take some chances.  The defense was getting involved on the attack, the front lines were crashing and a Sykora "garbage goal", as they call it in the game, was the end result.  It become evident that unless the Penguins gave a full collapse or the Rangers just went crazy on offense, the Pens would at least get a point on the night.

Some quality chances in overtime failed to turn in the Pens' favor.  Almost two minutes into the overtime period, the Rangers broke out on a breakaway, allowing defenseman Jason Strudwick to put the nail in the Pens' coffin.  Final score 4-3.

Overall, Fleury did not play a bad game.  Personally, I think he made some great saves.  But, I also think the D hung him out to dry a few times.  He did manage to get out of position  a few times, especially on Avery's handling of the puck in front of the net during the second period.  Fleury was better off just skating off the ice at this point, but thankfully a Ranger was unable to gobble up Avery's centering pass.

Jordan Staal is more than deserving of a scratch.  I don't exactly know who'd be better in his spot, but he needs to sit and open it up for someone else.  On a similar note, if a hockey player were a car with flat tires, it'd probably look a bit like Mark Recchi.

The last win against the Islanders posed as living proof that the more they stay out of the box, the better chance they have of walking away with a win.  Tonight, they couldn't stay out.  And what happened?  The Rangers played a more disciplined game and got the victory.

The Penguins are now off until Wednesday when they play the Devils at home.

I'm just baffled at how the Pens managed to jump to such a lead, then give up.  I'd like to almost categorize it as being just another Penguins' come from behind loss.