Pittsburgh Penguins

2022 - 5 - 9

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Penguins Take a 3-1 Lead in N.H.L. Playoff Series With Rangers (The New York Times)

The Penguins chased the often brilliant goalie from two games in Pittsburgh to take a 3-1 lead in the series as it moves to New York for Game 5 on ...

“Like I said, we’re going to come to Game 5 and be ready to play and win that game.” There will be no change in strategy for the Penguins in Game 5. The Penguins, of course, played a role in stripping away Shesterkin’s veil of near invincibility. “It’s an important aspect of trying to score goals in today’s N.H.L.,” Sullivan said. It was the fifth goal he had allowed in the period. Shesterkin may be the front-runner for the Vezina trophy for the league’s best goalie in the regular season, recording a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage, both tops among goalies with more than 10 starts. “We were not committed to playing the right way,” Gallant said. Back then, the only thing covering up for their defensive miscues was the brilliant play of goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Gallant pulled Shesterkin from both losses in Pittsburgh, which does not give Rangers fans a comforting feeling as they look ahead. The Penguins are led, not surprisingly, by their superstar captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion, Sidney Crosby. He has played brilliantly, with two goals and seven assists in the series, as the Penguins have rallied behind Louis Domingue, their third-string goalie. Or the Rangers can heed Gallant’s pointed criticism and play the right way, once again. It will be up to the Rangers to clear out in front of their own goal and provide a stern commitment in front of Shesterkin.

Penguins Get More Good News With Tristan Jarry, Rickard Rakell ... (Sports Illustrated)

Goalie Tristan Jarry was on the ice for a second-straight day, marking the third time since his injury that he's skated. He worked with goalie coach Andy Chiodo ...

This comes the day after he returned to practice wearing a non-contact jersey. He worked with goalie coach Andy Chiodo prior to practice. Rickard Rakell was at practice for a second-consecutive day, but this time, he was in a normal black jersey.

The Rangers have no answers for Sidney Crosby (PensBurgh)

The Penguins are up 3 games to 1 on the New York Rangers after the first four games of their opening round Stanley Cup playoff series.

The sheer brilliance of the offense performance that Crosby (and Guentzel, and Rust) are putting out there right now is totally peerless so far. Jake Guentzel has five goals in the first four games, and has found the back of the net in each and every game. Seemingly every shift they are generating scoring chances and great shots, if not putting the puck in the net. That’s the type of production that needs to be celebrated, especially after all the unnecessary slings and arrows those two players took the past few playoffs. The Pens were beat up and not playing their best hockey in the final few weeks of the season. NYR looked better down the stretch and dominated Pittsburgh in the regular season, only allowing Pittsburgh one even strength goal in four matchups.

Penguins Report Card: Killer Instinct, Attack Cracks Shesterkin in 7 ... (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins shoved New York towards elimination with both hands. Get the breakdown and player grades from the Pens' 7-2 win...

It sounds trite, but the whacks around the boards and failed clears became little touch passes to spring the breakout. A little more attention to detail and a little more execution. The Penguins won Game 4 in Broadway-style, 7-2.

Penguins look to clinch series win against the Rangers (Toronto Star)

Pittsburgh Penguins (46-25-11, third in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Rangers (52-24-6, second in the Metropolitan Division)

Skip Advertisement Skip Advertisement Skip Advertisement The Rangers have a 17-6-3 record in games decided by a goal. BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins look to clinch the first round of the NHL Playoffs over the New York Rangers in game five. Skip Advertisement

The Pittsburgh Penguins Leading the Series (The Game Haus)

Consisting of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust, they've put up astonishing numbers. Guentzel has been able to pot an incredible five goals in four ...

The offense has been firing goals in left and right, and the defense has been able to shut down the elite talent the Rangers are sporting. The Penguins’ defense has been performing well. Then, Domingue has been able to step up to the task. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, and their defense has been fantastic as well. Tristan Jarry was injured going into the postseason, so eyes were on Casey DeSmith. Then, he was injured, so all the pressure rested on Louis Domingue. He’s been handling it well, safe to say, as he’s been stealing the thunder from the offense. Of course, any team that hopes to score some goals has to have a solid offense.

Yohe's 10 observations: Nearly perfect Penguins chase Igor ... (The Athletic)

The Penguins have the Rangers on the edge of elimination after a second-period scoring spree in Monday's 7-2 win at PPG Paints Arena.

He grimaced late in the second period during a collision but stayed in the game. Kris Letang and Carter threw big hits moments before the Rangers took a 1-0 lead, but those hits didn’t result in the goal being scored. A player of lesser intelligence probably would have pushed Shesterkin’s pads with his stick, but not Crosby. He was thoughtful in that moment, willing the puck over the goal line. The word “energy” can be a little overused this time of year, but the energy that Zucker is providing is invaluable. Then, Malkin and Heinen went to the net in waves. The effort from the Penguins was off the charts. The Rangers are making the right decision by going with him in Game 5. The deflection occurred high in the zone and Shesterkin had ample time to be prepared. The Penguins put on a defensive clinic most of the evening, taking away passing lanes, playing sturdy hockey in front of their net and playing far better positionally than has been their recent norm. Sullivan always preaches this approach but, too often, the Penguins revert to old habits and play east-west hockey. The best player in the first week of the playoffs had his way with the Rangers once again. Remarkably, Domingue has won three of four games and has held down the fort admirably while Shesterkin has wilted in stunning fashion.