Evgeni Malkin scored just 1:24 into the gamet, and the Rangers could not find the equalizer the rest of the way as the Blueshirts dropped a 3-0 decision to Pittsburgh at home on Thursday.
Coming off a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday and a 2-1 victory over the Flyers on Tuesday, the Rangers were looking to finish off a perfect three-game homestand on Thursday. But Malkin ripped a right-wing shot past Henrik Lundqvist on the game's first shot and the Rangers were denied time and again by Pens goalie Tomas Vokoun, who earned his 49th career shutout by stopping all 28 shots he faced.
James Neal netted his fifth goal of the season, a power play marker just 28 seconds into the third period, to double the Rangers deficit after the Blueshirts were caught once again for having too many men on the ice.
The Penguins then iced the game at 10:23 of the third when Simon Despres -- fresh out of the penalty box -- was fed by Pascal Dupuis all alone in front of the Rangers net for his first goal of the season. Just seconds before at the other end of the ice Anton Stralman's slap shot was deflected off the post by Taylor Pyatt, which was preceded by a Marian Gaborik shot that also hit iron.
Vokoun made three of his better saves during a Rangers power play late in the period, the last a juggling glove stop on a Brad Richards blast from right wing. The Pens netminder also sparkled in denying a Derek Stepan shorthanded rush and subsequent rebound attempt a bit earlier in the period.
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Rangers out-hit the Penguins, 34-22, with 16 of 18 skaters being credited with at least one hit in the contest. |
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Lundqvist |
2. Stralman |
3. Boyle |
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Penguins
Rangers
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