![]() They are the third-smallest team in the NHL, whereas the Rangers are the sixth-biggest team and rank fifth in the league in hits per 60 minutes. With the game called differently in the playoffs, the Pens sometimes become pushovers. General manager Ron Hextall and, before him, Jim Rutherford have repeatedly declined to bulk up Pittsburgh’s roster. Louis Blues ushered in a pivot to brawnier champions. ![]() The Pens’ speed-based game won them Cups, but the Washington Capitals and St. Since winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 20, the Penguins’ past five years have played out like Groundhog Day: grind through an injury-plagued regular season to miraculously reach the playoffs, earning coach Mike Sullivan deserved praise, only to get steamrolled by much bigger and heavier teams in the playoffs. Kris Letang: 68 points Bryan Rust: 58 points (60 GP) Jake Guentzel: 84 points Sidney Crosby: 84 points (69 GP) NY Rangers Artemi Panarin: 96 points Mika Zibanejad: 81 pointsĬhris Kreider: 77 points Adam Fox: 74 points Ryan Strome: 54 points The Pens just couldn’t solve Shesterkin, who started all four games against them this season and posted a downright silly. The Rangers won the final three meetings by an 11-3 margin. General manager Chris Drury tried to make his team harder to play against with his offseason acquisitions (Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves, etc.) and trade-deadline acquisitions (Andrew Copp, Justin Braun, etc.). They face a New York Rangers team loaded with superstar talents at every position, from Artemi Panarin and 50-goal man Chris Kreider up front to 2021 Norris Trophy winning blueliner Adam Fox on defense to probable Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin in net. The Pens have also bombed out in the playoffs’ opening round in three straight seasons. It could actually be the final ride for this group, depending on how the roster takes shape next season, and even captain Sidney Crosby spoke publicly this week about knowing the team’s run of success can’t last forever. As the Pens enter their 16 th consecutive playoffs, future Hall of Famer Evgeni Malkin and longtime star blueliner Kris Letang are set to become unrestricted free agents. Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m.: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers (ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports) Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m.: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports) Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m.: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh (TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports) Monday, May 9, 7 p.m.: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh (ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports) *Wednesday, May 11, TBD: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers (TBD) *Friday, May 13 TBD: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh (TBD) *Sunday, May 15, TBD: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers (TBD) The SkinnyĮvery season, we wonder whether it’s the swan song for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ era of contention, but this year the question feels more valid than ever. ![]() Pittsburgh Penguins: 3 rd Metropolitan Division, 103 Points Schedule (ET) New York Rangers: 2nd Metropolitan Division, 110 points ![]()
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