NEW YORK- Things went from bad to worse rather quickly for the New York Rangers on Thursday night as they got blanked by the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-0 in New York City. Making just his second playoff start, goaltender Matt Murray earned his first career post season shut out with 31 saves to give the Penguins a 3-to-1 series lead heading into Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin had himself a four point night, registering two goals and two assists. Super star Sidney Crosby earned himself the third star of the night, tallying two assists.
The loss was the Rangers fifth home post season loss in a row. They have been shut out in that span three times.
Special teams would once again play a factor as the red-hot Penguins power play would go 3-for-5.
The first goal of the game came rather quickly, just 1:09 into the game from Eric Fehr who put in a poorly played rebound from Lundqvist to give them the one goal advantage. Six minutes later the Penguins would get a man advantage they would capitalize on when a Malkin shot from the point would get deflected by Crosby’s stick, just to barely nick Patric Hornqvist’s skate for the 2-0 tally.
Rangers kept digging their hole when a turnover late in the first lead to a snipe by Conor Sheary at 16:12 to head into the first intermission 3-0. Pittsburgh never turned back and won 5-0.
Penguins currently lead 3-1. Game 5 will be Saturday in Pittsburgh (time TBD).
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