PITTSBURGH, Pa – Heading into Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins were without one of their best players in Evgeni Malkin who has only played in 57 games so far this season. While the rest of the NHL and the Penguins first round opponent, the New York Rangers, focus on Pittsburgh’s other superstar, Sidney Crosby, they might want to focus on someone else who just might become responsible to defeating the Rangers this time around.
Patric Hornqvist just might become a household name after propelling the Pens to a 5-2 win in Game 1 and a 1-0 series lead with a three goal one assist performance. Crosby also led the Pens with a goal and assist. This is the third straight season the Rangers and Pens meet in the first round of the playoffs, but time around the Penguins are the hot team heading into the playoffs while the Rangers played poorly down the stretch.
Penguins’ goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury did not play but Jeff Zatkoff did and played a solid game in net. The Rangers started the game with Henrik Lundqvist in net but was injured in the first period. He only allowed one goal but backup Antti Raanta did not fare so well allowing four goals. Game 2 of the series will resume Saturday in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins led throughout the game and outscored the Rangers in every period. Derek Stepan had both goals for the Rangers, one of them on the power play. Tom Kuhnhackl had a shorthanded goal for Pittsburgh.
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