Pittsburgh Penguins rout New York Rangers 5-2 at home ice - NHL Update
Once again the New York Rangers fell short against their Atlantic division rivals Pittsburgh Penguins who thrashed them 5-2 at the CONSOL Energy Center on Thursday, April 5, 2012.
The Rangers lost their fourth straight game against the Penguins this season as their rivals secured fourth place in the Eastern Conference and home ice advantage heading into the playoffs.
This defeat though will not hurt the Rangers too much as they will enter the playoffs as the number one seed and will hope to secure the President’s Trophy in the final game of the season.
Pittsburgh though proved that they are currently the most in form team in the league and will enter the playoffs full of confidence after defeating the Eastern Conference’s top team.
The game though ended in bad blood after Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik hit Rangers centre Derek Stepan on the knee in a crunching check.
Rangers coach John Tortorella’s anger exploded after the game as he let rip with an expletive ridden tirade against Pittsburgh.
"It's a cheap, dirty hit. I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there. I wonder what would happen. So I'm anxious to see what happens with the league with this. Just not respect amongst players. None. It's sickening."
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma though defended his player who received a five-minute major penalty following the hit and said.
"You see here where (Stepan) jumps out of the way and Brooks is on his track and looking to hit the guy at an angle, and he trying to get out of the way creates that scenario,"
The game belonged to Pittsburgh however, as they completely peppered shots at Rangers goaltender Martin Biron who ended the game with 27-saves.
The Penguins were more clinical in front of goal and showed it right from the start as they took the lead in the very first minute of the game thanks to Chris Kunitz strike.
New York equalised three minutes later through Brandon Dubinsky.
Biron was beaten once again in the first period as Tyler Kennedy made it 2-1.
Pittsburgh increased their lead to two goals with Richard Park making it 3-1. The Rangers tried to get back into the game but could not find a way past goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Evgeni Malkin continued his wonderful scoring form in this game too as he scored early in the third period to make it 4-1.
New York finally beat Fleury late in the game to make it 4-2 with Artem Anisimov goal on the power play.
Kris Letang’s short-handed goal in the final minute completed the rout as Pittsburgh ran out 5-2 winners.
New York will now look to end their season with a win when they face Washington Capitals at home ice on Saturday, while the Penguins prepare for the visit of playoff first round opponents Philadelphia Flyers.
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