Sunday’s matchup between the Rangers and Penguins was the first of three times they play each other this week, making this the best chance the Penguins and their (questionable) deadline additions to close the distance for third place in the Metro. Unsurprisingly, the game eventually got physically, emotionally charged, and chippy.
First Period:
The Rangers got into penalty trouble early; Barclay Goodrow, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad all took minors within the first six minutes. Zibanejad’s game shortly after Trocheck’s giving the Penguins an extended five-on-three, during which they scored the game’s opening goal. Rickard Rakell finished off a quick passing sequence from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.