Fleury leads Penguins to second consecutive shutout victory and a 2-1 series lead
The New York Rangers threw everything but the kitchen sink at Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the dying seconds of Game 3 but came up short for the second night in a row.
Fleury recorded his second shutout in as many nights to lead Pittsburgh to a 2-0 victory Monday at Madison Square Garden. The win gives the Penguins a 2-1 series lead.
A night after posting 22 shots, the Rangers offensive efforts increased during Game 3 and Fleury was forced to make 35 saves on a night the Penguins only registered 15 shots on Henrik Lundqvist.
Sidney Crosby opened the scoring in the second period with his first goal of the playoffs, ending a 13-game goalless drought, and Jussi Jokinen increased the lead with just over two minutes remaining in the period.
That's all the Penguins needed to take the series lead and the two will meet Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET for Game 4.
Star Performer
Even though he was saved by the post on a few occasions, Fleury stole the show in Game 3. Fleury stopped more than double the shot attempts his counterpart faced and hasn't allowed a goal since Derick Brassard's overtime winner in Game 1.
He was forced to make a number of important saves on the night, but the toughest and best looking save came when he robbed Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello in the closing minutes of the first period.
[Courtesy: NHL.com]
He had to make a flurry of saves in the final two minutes of the game when the Rangers had a 6-4 advantage thanks to Paul Martin's two-minute penalty for holding and an extra skater when New York pulled Lundqvist.
None of them, however, were more important than the toe-save he made on Zuccarello for another crucial stop.
[Courtesy: NHL.com]
Turning Point
The Rangers failed to end their ugly drought on the power play, extending their goal-less streak to 0-34 and 0-12 in the series against Pittsburgh.
The biggest missed opportunity came in the second period when Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen was assessed a penalty for holding. The Rangers managed to get five shots during the power play and had two shots blocked, but Zuccarello's giveaway in the dying seconds of the advantage found a wide-open Jokinen as he came out of the penalty box. Jokinen found himself all alone on the breakaway and slotted the shot past Lundqvist.
[Courtesy: @myregularface]
Jokinen's goal gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead, and was the eventual game winner.
Highlight Reel
Sidney Crosby finally delivered his first goal of the playoffs and his first since March 30 when he beat Lundqvist in the second period.
Crosby opened the scoring in Game 3 when he Robert Bortuzzo's excellent outlet pass pierced through two Rangers defenceman and found the Penguins captain.
As he's known to do, Crosby out-skated one defender and completed the play, beating Lundqvist's five-hole.
[Courtesy: NHL.com]
Quote of the night
The scheduling format for the second round between the Penguins and Rangers has been odd, with the two teams travelling to New York City for Game 3 just one night after Game 2 in Pittsburgh.
And, while the Penguins probably won't complain after recording a victory, Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault was not pleased and expressed his frustration about the short turnover to reporters after the loss.
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault: "We tried real hard and we were forced to play a stupid schedule." Said he was proud of his players.
— Rich Chere (@Ledger_NJDevils) May 6, 2014
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: Penguins 2, Rangers 0 (Penguins lead 2-1)
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