New York, NY (Sports Network) - Steve Rucchin registered a goal and an assist
to lead the New York Rangers past the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, at Madison
Square Garden.
Michal Rozsival and Petr Sykora tallied a goal apiece and Henrik Lundqvist
made 24 saves for the Rangers, who have won two of their last three games.
"When they shoot form the middle they have so many options, it can hit
someone," Lundqvist said. "It's easier when we let them shoot from the sides.
There's more time to see the puck easier. We talked about it to pressure
harder and pressure at the right times and I think that's the key right now."
Mark Recchi scored the Penguins' only goal and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 23
shot for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight and 13 of its last 14
games. Fleury assisted on Recchi's power-play tally.
"I guess you can take this one a little easier, but it's no fun," Penguins
forward Sidney Crosby said. "Neither one (of the last two games have been)
fun. It was a lot better than we played here a few nights ago here, so, that's
something we can definitely take out of it. We need to find ways to win."
New York drew first blood 4:05 into the first period after Rucchin tallied the
Rangers' second shorthanded goal of the season. He caused a turnover at the
blue line and skated in on a breakaway before beating Fleury stick side with a
forehand for a 1-0 lead.
"It was a good bounce," Rucchin said. "I was coming off the bench high so the
puck came right across to me. It was pretty fortunate, but I'll take it
because bounces have been few and far between for me this year."
Pittsburgh netted the equalizer with 10 seconds left in the first period while
on the power play after Recchi finished a coast-to-coast rush, beating
Lundqvist stick side from below the right circle.
The Rangers regained the lead midway through the second period while on the
power play after Rozsival one-timed a shot from below the right circle past
Fleury for a 2-1 advantage.
New York extended its lead 9:51 into the final frame while on the man
advantage after Sykora gathered a rebound in the slot and pumped a shot past
Fleury's glove.
The Penguins pulled Fleury with over a minute left in regulation but could not
get closer than two goals.
