Penguins: Must Regroup vs Rangers

The Pittsburgh Penguins look to retake the series lead when they head to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday Night (7 pm ET, USA, SN, TVA Sports, ROOT, MSG) to tango with the New York Rangers.

The storyline of this series has been role players stepping up to fill roles of injured starters and the Pittsburgh Penguins greeted goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray with open arms.

According to head coach Mike Sullivan, Fleury’s status still remains the same and that there is no update on Murray’s return.

More from Pittsburgh Penguins

• Pittsburgh Penguins: A Look Back at 2019
• Penguins Will Continue to Persevere Despite Injuries
• Penguins: Alex Galchenyuk May Finally Start Meeting Expectations
• Penguins’ Three Keys to Help End Islanders’ Point Streak
• Penguins: Without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin Will Be an MVP Candidate

Sullivan and staff reconvened to discuss the line combinations.  According to The Inside Scoop by Michelle Crechiolo, there were two line changes.  The first change was forward Evgeni Malkin skating with Eric Fehr and Conor Sheary.  The second change was forward Matt Cullen serving as a pivot for Bryan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl.

After the Rangers stole Game 2 in Pittsburgh, the Blueshirts received some welcoming news as their best defenseman and captain Ryan McDonagh took part in the team’s practice after suffering a hand injury blocking a shot versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Head coach Alain Vigneault mentioned that his star defender’s status does not look good, but “stranger things have happened.”

In addition to McDonagh practicing with the team, the Rangers recalled defenseman Raphael Diaz from the Hartford Wolfpack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.  Fellow blue liner Dan Girardi did not practice and is not expected to take the ice for game three. Rookie Dylan McIlrath served as Girard’s replacement and will look to do so if Girardi does not suit up for the Rangers.

Players To Watch

Derick Brassard/JT Miller

Brassard registered a goal and two assists versus the Penguins in Game 2.  He has been known as a Penguin killer over the most of his career.  Miller, his fellow linemate, recorded three assists in the second period.  The Pittsburgh, PA native was the 4th  Ranger to do that in the last 29 years to record 3 assist games in the playoffs (Brian Leech, Mark Messier, Jaromir Jagr).

Next: Penguins: Do We Really Need Malkin (Yet)?

Sidney Crosby/Patric Hornqvist

After receiving no combined points in Game 2, the duo will look to respond in game-one-like fashion.  Crosby recorded a goal and two assists in Game 1 while Hornqvist recorded his first career playoff hat trick.