Rangers' Brassard becoming leader on, off the ice

NEW YORK -- New York Rangers center Derick Brassard doesn't hide from the fact that he's a big fan of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

Brassard played against Crosby as a member of the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League when Crosby was with the Rimouski Oceanic.

He enjoyed the battle then, and is enjoying it now in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I'm a big fan of the way [Crosby] plays the game; he's always been a dynamic player," Brassard said Thursday.

East (M1) vs. (W2) Rangers vs. Penguins Rangers lead series 3-1