NEW YORK – The New York Rangers scored first, but the Pittsburgh Penguins would fight back to win 3-1. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray made his first NHL playoff debut, making just 16 of 17 saves to pick up his first career postseason win. New York’s goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 28 of 30 shots he faced, as Penguins defensemen Kris Letang added an empty net goal at 19:47 for the nail in the coffin.
Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh returned after missing games one and two of this series as well as the last five with an upper body injury. Though he logged a team high 
22:44, his return would not be enough to spark the blueshirts to a home victory.
Game 3 was full of special teams, as they would play a significant factor in the second period of the game. The Rangers first goal was a shorthanded tally from winger Rick Nash who picked up his first 2016 postseason goal and his first shorthanded playoff goal less than a minute into the second.
NYR defensman Marc Staal took a hooking penalty against former Ranger Carl Hagelin with just a minute left to play in the second. 18 seconds later, captain Sidney Crosby would be in the right place at the right time as he was able to guide in an easy power play goal, tying the game up at one into intermission.
Another former Ranger continued to hurt his prior team, as Matt Cullen of Pittsburgh scored on a breakaway after a miscommunication between defensemen Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle. The goal came at 4:16 into the period when Yandle and Boyle both went for a bouncing puck at their own blue line and Cullen was able to maintain control. A quick snap shot under Lundqvist’s right pad would turn out to be the game winning goal.
The Penguins lead the series 2-1. Game 4 will be on Thursday, April 21st at Madison Square Garden, New York City at 7pm.
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