Game 2: Penguins Vs. Rangers Preview
NEW YORK (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins earned a hard-fought 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday to get off on the right foot this season.
However, they won't have any time to celebrate as they head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers Sunday night.
Tyler Kennedy, James Neal and Chris Kunitz lit the lamp for the Penguins, while Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show with 26 saves in the game.
The win was the 227th of Fleury's career, making him the franchise leader.
The Rangers were also on the road Saturday, but fell 3-1 to the Boston Bruins. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves in the losing effort and Brad Richards scored the lone goal.
It remains to be seen who will start in goal tonight for the Rangers between Lundqvist and Martin Biron.
Against the Penguins, Biron is 13-17-3-2 with a 3.08 GAA and .889 save percentage in 35 appearances.
Lundqvist is 22-15-5 with a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage in 42 appearances against the Penguins.
Each goaltender has two shutouts against Pittsburgh in their career.
The Rangers looked to bolster their offense this past summer when they traded for Rick Nash. In 10 games against Pittsburgh, Nash has five goals and five assists.
As for the Penguins, goaltending depth was a bit of an issue last season. As a result, the Penguins went out and got veteran Tomas Vokoun to back up Fleury.
One possible reason for Fleury not being at his best in the playoffs last season was due to playing too many games in the regular season.
In an attempt to limit his workload early on this season, Vokoun will get the nod against the Rangers.
Vokoun is 10-7-1-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage with two shutouts against the Rangers in 19 career appearances.
Sidney Crosby was held off the scoresheet on Saturday, but that could change tonight. In 40 career games, Crosby has 20 goals and 37 assists against the Rangers.
Evgeni Malkin got the lone assist on Neal's goal against Philadelphia, but he has also has performed well against New York.
In 35 games, Malkin has 18 goals and 14 assists.
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and you can watch the game on Root Sports.
You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheavedice
RELATED LINKS
More Shea-ved Ice Blog
More Sports News
More Penguins News
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL
