Rangers continue to dominate the Penguins (NYR 5 v PIT 2)

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Rick Nash #61 got the Rangers on the board just 26 seconds in. 1/18/15 (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

After struggling to score for two games against the Islanders and Boston, then scrapping for 2 goals versus Columbus, it took only 26 seconds to get the fun started.

RANGERS 5 v. PENGUINS 2

NYR at PIT 1.18.15 (ESPN)

The Penguins started the game off right. They had control in the Rangers zone and in a blink of an eye, a bad pass from Brandon Sutter to Kris Letang sprung Rick Nash on a breakaway. The All-Star and Rocket Richard leader made no mistake as he snapped it blocker side past Fleury for the 1-0 lead.

In the locker room, after he would finish with 2 goals (27 & 28 on the year), Nash wanted to talk about the team. “It shows the kind of character we have on this team to bounce back after a tough home loss (Islanders) and another loss on the road to Boston,” Nash said. “To come back and get these two wins and in a tough place to play in, it’s a huge deal.”

Derick Brassard, who has been fantastic in his own right made the score 2-0 before Sidney Crosby would cash in on a late PP to close the first period.

The second period would begin and the story was the same. This time it took Rick Nash a little over 2 minutes to increase the lead to 3-1. That was followed by Derek Stepan’s PP tally and the Rangers were in cruise control.

The third period saw the Penguins cut the lead to 4-2 on a brilliant effort by David Perron. However it was the man who’s absence was felt in the two losses, Derek Stepan who would answer just 1:59 later. The Rangers #1 center has 2G and 2A in his 2 games since missing the contest in Boston.

Of course, just like his teammate, when addressing the media he spoke of someone other than himself. “It’s been no secret who our best player has been this season,” Derek Stepan said of Nash after the game. “It’s amazing how he comes to the rink every day, the way he carries himself, and is sparking the team when we need it deperately. Today was a great start to the game.”

The Rangers closed out their season series against Pittsburgh with a sparkling 3-0-1 record.

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By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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