New York Rangers take on surging Penguins; look to extend win streak
The Pittsburgh Penguins and visiting New York Rangers have met just once this season entering their game Sunday, but they figure to get very familiar with each other very quickly.
Sunday’s game will be the first of three meetings between the Metropolitan Division teams in a span of seven days — they also will play in New York on Thursday and Saturday.
The Penguins won the only game between them to this point, 3-2 at home on Dec. 20.
The Penguins are 6-1-1 in their past eight games; the Rangers are 4-5-1 in their past 10.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (37-19-9) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (33-22-10)
Date/Time: March 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET
Arena: Keybank Center
TV: TNT
Radio: ESPN 98.7
New York Rangers take on Penguins
The three head-to-head matchups this week could help define how the Metropolitan stacks up at the end of the season. Pittsburgh, which currently holds the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, sits seven points behind the Rangers, who are third in the division.
While Pittsburgh is 2-0-1 three games into a five-game homestand, New York has been strong on the road this season. After a 2-1 overtime win Saturday at Buffalo, the Rangers are 20-8-5 away from home.
Winger Patrick Kane, acquired in one of the bigger moves in the NHL leading up to the trade deadline, has his first three points with his new team over the past two games, including the tying goal Saturday in his hometown of Buffalo.
While Pittsburgh scored three goals in the third period to put away the Flyers, the Rangers were not thrilled with their effort against Buffalo despite the win.
“We got through it and [Shesterkin] was the key,” Gerard Gallant said on the postgame. “Late in a period of a 1-1 hockey game to give those chances is not acceptable for our group. A lot of guys in the locker room should be thankful Igor made those saves for them.”
The Penguins probably can expect to face backup Rangers goaltender Jaroslav Halak after Shesterkin played against Buffalo.
Conversely, Pittsburgh started backup Casey DeSmith against Philadelphia and seems likely to go with Tristan Jarry on Sunday.
–Field Level Media
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