AP Photo/Fred Vuich

The Penguins showed why they are the defending Stanley Cup champions last night. embarrassing the Rangers in Pittsburgh by a 7-2 score. The Pens owned the Rangers all game, and this score would’ve been much worse had Antti Raanta had an off night. He did not, and that’s why the Rangers managed to get it to within a goal in the third, despite being badly outplayed.

But once they got it to within a goal, the Penguins scored five straight, as if to just mess with the Rangers. Matt Murray wasn’t even particularly strong in this game, but he didn’t have to do much. The Rangers didn’t get many shot attempts, let alone anything of significant quality. Everything was off on this game. Could be fatigue. Could be a solid Penguins lineup completely exploiting an injured Rangers team. Could be very fast and skilled Penguins forwards exploiting a pretty terrible Rangers defense.

Or could be a combination of all three. Definitely a combination of all three.

On to the goals:

Penguins 1, Rangers 0

Sidney Crosby did a good job finding the open ice between Dan Girardi, Marek Hrivik, and Derek Stepan in the slot. After that, it was just a matter of Ian Cole getting it to his stick. Raanta didn’t stand a chance.

Rangers 1, Penguins 1

Matt Puempe’s shot was up around Murray’s ear, and he missed it. Those are tough to stop, but I bet Murray wants it back.

Penguins 2, Rangers 1

Evgeni Malkin had the puck knocked away from him at the blue line by Chris Kreider, but it went right to Chris Kunitz. As Malkin opened himself up for a shot, Kreider and Oscar Lindberg got crossed up on their coverage as Jesper Fast rightly went to Kunitz. With the cross up, Malkin was open to receive the pass –Fast did not get his stick in the passing lane fast enough– and fired a rifle over Raanta’s shoulder.

Penguins 3, Rangers 1

Phil Kessel showed great patience to take the puck from the boards and around Fast, Nick Holden, and J.T. Miller. His shot beat Raanta, and Holden was unable to sweep it out before it crossed the goal line.

Penguins 3, Rangers 2

Dan Girardi->Mats Zuccarello->Derek Stepan->Ryan McDonagh->Michael Grabner->Goal.

Penguins 4, Rangers 2

The Penguins pinned the Rangers in the zone, and when that happens against this team, they make you pay. Justin Schultz threw it in front and it went off McDoangh’s skate.

Penguins 5, Rangers 2

McDonagh had a bit of a rough game. On this one, he failed to clear the zone with his glove, which was an odd play. Then he ignored Bryan Rust and got caught puck watching. Crosby faked the shot, and had Rust open at the back door.

Penguins 6, Rangers 2

Snow angel at the blue line by Girardi, which is new, didn’t block the first pass. Then McDonagh didn’t block the second pass. J.T. Miller coasting on the backcheck. I’d like to point out that Girardi took away the boards instead of the inside passing lane. That’s atrocious. I covered McDonagh above, who had a rough one. Miller coasted, like a good number of Rangers forwards this game. Just terrible.

Penguins 7, Rangers 2

Brady Skjei with the turnover. Matt Puempel and Kevin Hayes apparently went blind. Jesper Fast just kind of watched. I guess Kevin Klein took a smoke break.

Even Strength Corsi

Yea, I got nothing. The Pens dominated.

Even Strength Scoring Chances

LOL.

This was just awful. Good thing the Rangers have a few days off to rest. But this was a message by Pittsburgh. They are the team to beat, and they’ve steamrolled the Rangers twice now.

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