It doesn’t get easier as Rangers must face Penguins tonight (PIT at NYR 7pm)
The division leading, Pittsburgh Penguins roll into the Garden to face a Rangers team that will need to up their battle level a few notches. Attention to details in their own zone will be key to any hope of getting two points.
Game 15:  Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden – 7PM
Daily Faceoff’s Goalie Matchup
– Note click the Daily Faceoff link throughout the day for confirmed starters
NOTES:Â
Rangers send Ryan Malone and Conor Allen to Hartford. No surprise with John Moore coming back, and Dan Boyle soon.
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) November 10, 2014
Jesper Fast is the recall from AHL, per #NYR.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) November 10, 2014
RANGERS TO WATCH
1. The Defense– I’m not sure how AV handles the return of John Moore tonight. However, if the Rangers are close or up late, I expect to see a lot of Girardi / Staal and Klein / Moore paired up.
2. Mats Zuccarello – His play has improved but he isn’t anywhere close to the battle level and feistiness he showed last year. A divisional matchup should bring that out.
3. Kevin Hayes – Big test for the kid tonight. He’s been strong on the puck lately and looks close to getting on the scoreboard.
EYE ON THE ENEMY
1. Sidney Crosby – I do not need to explain this.
2. Patric Hornqvist – 9 goals and 18 points in 13 games. Last year he scored 22 goals in 76 games, he’s on pace for over 50. Why has he been so good? See, #1 on this list. Crosby has assisted on 5 of those 9 goals.
3. Marc-Andre Fleury – The supposed achilles heel of the Penguins is 9-2 with a GAA of 1.90 and a save % at .931.
FULLTILT FORECAST
The forecast is now at 8-6 after predicting a win against the Oilers.
This couldn’t be a more terrible time to face the Penguins. First off, they are red hot and we are scrambling to figure it all out. Our best defender is out with a shoulder injury. Ryan McDonagh is the anchor of that defense and we still have Mike Kostka in the lineup. This could get ugly.
I think the effort and attention to detail will be better, but it looks like one of those “darkest before the dawn” games.
Pens 3 – NYR 2
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