2/13 Pregame: Pittsburgh Penguins VS New York Rangers

New York Rangers 29-24-4 7th in East
Pittsburgh Penguins 35-18-4 4th in East

Well, here we go again. Another must win for a team that cannot afford to give up another 2 points in a tight eastern conference race.

Callahan celebrating with Dubinsky and Anisemov. Wouldn't it be nice to see this more often?

In a repeat of their matchup 12 days ago, the Rangers will once again host the Penguins w.o superstars Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. While everyone assumed that was a game the Rangers would take with ease, the Rangers managed to squander a 2 goal lead, and spent most of the third period battling to tie the game up, all of which ended up being in vein as the Rangers couldn't manage to put 1 past Marc-Andre Fleury a 7 round shootout loss.

The Penguins are coming off an embarrassing 9-3 loss to the Islanders on Friday in a game that saw 315 PIM and another fighting major for goalie Brent Johnson. Expect to see Marc-Andre Fleury manning the net in today's matinee. The Penguins will also be without Eric Godard, who received a 10 game suspension for his part in Friday's brawl.

While you think this would give the Rangers the edge in today's contest, the Rangers are coming off one of their worst losses of the season, when they squandered their first 3rd period lead of the season when Atlanta stormed back for 2 late in the third to send the Blueshirts to their 6th straight loss.

In order to get back on track, the Rangers are going to need to put all of their recent play in the past, and focus on annihilating a depleted Penguins team. Is there any reason the Rangers should lose to a team that the Islanders were able to defeat 9-3 just 2 days ago? On a brighter note, Lundqvist was back to his old self against the Thrashers and is expected to start his second straight today.

Any excuses if they lose? Absolutely not. Another loss here would mean 7 straight, and open the door for teams like Carolina Atlanta and Buffalo to surpass them in the east. With games against the Flyers, Devils (who are one of the hottest teams in hockey), Kings, and Hurricanes coming up, it is imperative that the Rangers snap this skid right here right now.

Key Note: Del Zotto scratched Eminger back in the lineup