Hello all, and welcome to another pre-game post!
Rangers at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins are coming into this game hot... hotter than any other team in the NHL right now. They are 8-1-1 in their last ten games. Sidney Crosby is on a 12 game point streak and is being talked about as being the best hes ever been in his career, and rightfully so. 25 games into the year and Crosby already has 18 goals, 22 assists, and a total of 40 points... 25 games into the year. Love him or hate him, thats terrifying. Aside from Sid, the rest of the team has started pulling more weight like Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang who are tied with 22 points. However, nobody else on the team has eclipsed the 10 goal plateau yet, which means some consistency problems outside of Crosby. But as we learned in the last game against the Penguins, if any of them get a chance, they have a legitimate shot at capitalizing on it.
The Rangers are happy to be home after a three game road trip against the Avalanche, Predators, and Panthers. The Rangers also improved their last ten games record going 7-3-0. The Rangers have also found scoring in all aspects and have developed into a grinding team who has to work tirelessly for every single point. Henrik Lundqvist has also found his groove after slumping off earlier this season and has improved his save percentage to .919. The Rangers also have a boost of confidence playing against this team after they were revived by the overtime goal of Ryan Callahan that won a close game. If the Rangers can keep that in mind, and get more shots on net, they have a shot to win this one.
My Diagnosis
The Rangers defense needs to be no less than perfect tonight if they want to stay in this one. The Penguins are firing on all cylinders and will not let up when given any opportunity.
And if there was ever a night for Marian Gaborik to start playing like the Marian Gaborik we know and love, its tonight (if he plays tonight, for he missed last game in Nashville with the flu). Gaborik needs to come out and light up on offense in order to force the Penguins to take a step back and adjust their game plan to him. Otherwise, this tilt will turn in favor of the Penguins.
My Predictions
As much as I hate to admit it, the Penguins are too hot to make me think they wont show up tonight. I have to give it to the Penguins 4-2.
Crosby will get the first halfway through the 1st period.
Alexander Frolov will tie it late in the first.
Marian Gaborik will get the second one in the 2nd period.
Pascal Dupuis will have the second one that puts them over the Rangers once they tie it.
Mark Letestu will get the third goal for the Penguins at the start of the 3rd period.
The final will be an empty net goal.
I really hope my predictions are wrong. Although I have been close to right on my past two, if Im suddenly going to become unlucky, I hope its now. Enjoy the game!
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