Shea-ved Ice: Pens Head To Broadway
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to avenge the only blemish in their current 8-0-1 streak against the New York Rangers tonight.
In their only previous meeting this season, the Penguins finally broke through on Henrik Lundqvist, scoring two goals in 38 seconds to take a 2-1 lead wit h 1:53 to play in the third period.
Lundqvist was visibly disturbed after giving up the go-ahead goal to Matt Cooke and snapped his stick into pieces over the crossbar.
He then launched part of the broken stick up the ice, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that appeared to seal the game.
However, Marc Staal had other ideas and scored a shorthanded goal with 1:26 to play to force overtime.
In overtime, Zbynek Michalek blew a tire at the Rangers' blue line and Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan moved in on a 2-on-1.
Dubinsky drew the puck around a diving Paul Martin and fed Callahan for a tap-in game-winning goal on the back door.
After living in the New York/New Jersey for eight years, friends decided it would be a great idea to call, IM, Facebook, etc. and rub it in. The same was true after the Penguins had a meltdown in the third period against the Bruins and surrendered five goals. It's one thing for friends to call and pick on you, but when family does it, that's pain on a whole new level.
A win tonight would allow me to return the favor, but I'll be upping the stakes. More on that will come if the Pens pull this one out tonight.
Anyway, the Penguins were a perfect 3-0 at Madison Square Garden last year and are 17-5-8 against New York since the start of the 2006-07 season.
There will be a lineup change tonight as Arron Asham is listed as doubtful. He apparently woke up ill and did not participate in the morning skate.
Eric Godard took his place on the fourth line during the morning skate.
According to the Penguins' official website, here are the probable line combinations:
Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke-Evgeni Malkin-Max Talbot
Chris Conner-Mark Letestu-Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp-Craig Adams-Eric Godard
Your starting goaltender will be:
Marc-Andre Fleury is 7-0-1 in his last eight starts and has reduced his GAA to 2.57 while improving his save percentage to .905.
The game is at 7 p.m. and you can watch it on FSN Pittsburgh.
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