rangers penguins ryan strome

The Rangers and Penguins played an exciting game during prime time yesterday afternoon, but fell to the Penguins 6-5. The teams combined for 85 shots on goal in this one, but it was Evgeni Malkin’s pair of goals in the third period that put the game out of reach for the Rangers.

The officiating drew some ire during the game, but that was par for the course for a nationally televised game. Outside of that, it was the Blueshirts’ top line that got back on track in this one, as Mats Zuccarello (two goals), Mika Zibanejad (goal, assist), Kevin Hayes (goal, assist), and Chris Kreider (two assists) combined for eight points. Kevin Shattenkirk also added a pair of assists.

Penguins 1, Rangers 0

Hockey happens sometimes. Not much Shattenkirk can do on this one.

Penguins 1, Rangers 1

Zuccarello’s pass got tipped in by the Penguins here. Such is hockey.

Penguins 2, Rangers 1

Powerplay slot line passes go in regularly, and this was no different. Strome’s stick is in a spot to protect a pass lower, but the pass across the high slot was ripe for the taking for Nick Bjugstad. Marcus Pettersson just made sure to finish.

Penguins 3, Rangers 1

That’s two Rangers in the corner away from the play. That’s why Brian Dumoulin was so open.

Penguins 3, Rangers 2

This is a great pass from Kreider to Zibanejad that Casey DeSmith got his pad on, but Zuccarello was there to poke the puck into the empty net.

Penguins 3, Rangers 3

The Penguins were scrambling on this one after DeSmith failed to hang on to the initial shot. Eventually Ryan Strome got the puck in the high slot with an empty net. There was a lot of chaos in this one.

Penguins 4, Rangers 3

There’s about five guys in front on this one from Kris Letang. Nothing Georgiev could do on this.

Penguins 5, Rangers 3

Of all the goals, this is one that Georgiev might want back, but even then it might be nitpicking. Georgiev was going one way and the pass from behind the net from Phil Kessel went the other, catching Georgiev needing to correct his movement. Evgeni Malkin tucked the shot under Georgiev’s glove.

Penguins 6, Rangers 3

Say what you want, but this was one heck of a goal by Malkin. He picked a corner blind with a backhand. Sometimes you just tip your cap.

Penguins 6, Rangers 4

Say what you want about Tony DeAngelo, but the kid has some vision on the ice. The finisher by Hayes was perfect too.

Penguins 6, Rangers 5

Shattenkirk’s shot didn’t get through to DeSmith and went right to Zibanejad to make the game interesting.

Shot Heatmap

These heatmaps are all over the place for both teams. Defense was kind of optional in this one.

Despite the outcome, this was a fun one to watch. The Rangers have been doing that a lot lately, with fun games to keep us entertained while we deal with this rebuild. Remember that every game we get with this top line intact may be the last, so to see them performing like this is just gravy. It’s like a last hurrah.

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