Fleury, Penguins shut out Rangers in Game 2 to even the series 1-1
The Pittsburgh Penguins throttled the New York Rangers on Sunday night, controlling play throughout and earning a 3-0 shutout victory to even their second round Stanley Cup playoff series at one game apiece.
Kris Letang, Jussi Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins, while Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby was completely dominant throughout.
With the victory, oft-criticized Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury picked up his 50th career playoff win, and with the 22-save shutout he became the Penguins' all time leader in career playoff shutouts.
Game 3 goes on Monday night in New York at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Star Performer
Crosby didn't record a point in Game 2 and remains without a goal in the postseason, but he put on an absolute clinic on Sunday night. With Crosby on the ice at even-strength in Game 2, the Penguins outshot the Rangers 13-7 and managed 24 shot attempts while permitting only nine against.
That's the sort of territorial dominance from a front-line player that makes it nigh impossible for an opposing team to manufacture offense. Fleury got the shutout in Game 2, but the way the Penguins put the boot to the Rangers with Crosby on the ice was a key factor enabling the blank sheet.
Crosby also broke Ryan McDonagh's ankles on more than one occassion, most notably late in the first period when he sent the Rangers shutdown defender flying:
[By @myregularface, courtesy NBCSN]
Turning Point
By the time Penguins defenseman Kris Letang banked the game opening goal off of Rangers defender Dan Girardi, it was apparent which way Game 2 was going. The Penguins were controlling play to such an extent that a comeback, even from a mere one goal deficit, seemed improbable.
It helps that after Letang's goal, the Penguins continued to rather mercilessly suffocate their opponent as this unblocked shot attempt chart makes plain:
[Courtesy extraskater.com]
Highlight Reel
Fleury got the shutout but Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was the busier of the two goaltenders. This stop on a Chris Kunitz breakaway attempt is about as good as it gets:
[Courtesy NHL.com]
Quote of the Night
The New York Rangers lead all playoff teams in power-play opportunities with 37 so far in the postseason. But they've only scored three total power-play goals, and are on a totally hapless 0-for-29 run in converting opportunities with the man-advantage.
"We're 1-1 in the second round of the playoffs," Brad Richards said of New York's feeble power-play, per Sean Gentille of the Sporting News. "Makes absolutely no sense to be frustrated. It's a challenge to get out of it."
Series at a glance
Game 1: Rangers 3, Penguins 2 (OT) (Rangers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Penguins 3, Rangers 0 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Monday, May 5 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Wednesday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Friday, May 9 -TBD
Game 6*: Sunday, May 11 - TBD
Game 7*: Tuesday, May 13 - TBD