Pens capitalize on Crosby presence, Henrik absence

2011-12 Game No. 70; Home Game No. 34	Rangers' Record: 44-19-7
VIDEO: TORTORELLA POSTGAME
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GAME RECAP Associated Press Sidney Crosby's return after three months of inactivity didn't hurt the chemistry of the Pittsburgh Penguins one bit as they cut the No. 1 Rangers' Eastern Conference lead to four points. Crosby played for the first time since another bout with concussion symptoms forced him to the sidelines Dec. 5. He had an assist as the Penguins stretched their winning streak to 10 by beating the Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden. It marked the first time this season that the Rangers allowed five goals. Matt Cooke scored twice, Tyler Kennedy had two assists and NHL points leader Evgeni Malkin added a goal for the Penguins. Crosby assisted on Chris Kunitz's goal that made it 4-2 at 3:01 of the third period, shortly after the Rangers had killed a 4-minute, high-sticking penalty on Stu Bickel. Pascal Dupuis pushed the Penguins' lead to 5-2 at 7:35. Carl Hagelin got the Rangers even at 1-1 in the first period, and Marian Gaborik brought New York within 3-2 late in the second with his 35th goal. Brad Richards had two assists, and Gaborik and Hagelin both had one for the potent line that has scored the team's last seven goals over three games. Rangers goalie Martin Biron stopped 27 shots after being forced to start his second straight game in place of Henrik Lundqvist, who is still feeling the effects of the flu. The Rangers were also without Ryan Callahan (bruised foot) and defenseman Michael Del Zotto (hip). • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Blueshirts held the Penguins scoreless in four shorthanded situations (6:00 of icetime), and are now 29-for-32 (90.6 percent) on the penalty kill in the last 10 contests. The Rangers’ penalty kill has held opponents scoreless in six of the last eight games (24-for-26, 92.3 percent). THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Gaborik 2. Hagelin 3. Richards

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THE BIGGER PICTURE It's fair to say with Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, and Michael Del Zotto in the lineup, this would have been a very different game. Even though the Rangers still lead the conference, they can't expect to beat top-tier teams like the Pens without three key players.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Gaborik (22:29) Shots -- Richards, Mitchell (5) Hits -- Boyle (5) Blocks -- Girardi, Staal (3) Takeaways -- Hagelin (2) Faceoffs -- Richards (27)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. PITTSBURGH
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Brandon Dubinsky
Ruslan Fedotenko	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp	John Mitchell	Mats Zuccarello

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Stu Bickel
Steve Eminger	Anton Stralman
Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Chad Johnson Starting Lineup: Biron, Staal, Bickel, Anisimov, Stepan, Dubinsky.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Mats Zuccarello	Brian Boyle	Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Derek Stepan

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Brad Richards	Anton Stralman
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ruslan Fedotenko	Artem Anisimov
Carl Hagelin	Derek Stepan

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Staal/Eminger	Stu Bickel