The challenges continue for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they push for playoff position.
Meanwhile, the addition of J.T. Miller might be a needed spark for the New York Rangers to also vault themselves into the top eight teams of the Eastern Conference.
With the status of superstar Sidney Crosby uncertain, the Penguins try to extend their point streak to four games Friday night against the host Rangers, who are looking for their third straight victory overall and versus Pittsburgh.
Though time remains, Pittsburgh’s quest to avoid missing the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time since they missed four straight in the early 2000s isn’t going well. Entering play Thursday, the Penguins are tied for the second-fewest points (53) in the East.
Making matters potentially worse is the team’s collective health.
Fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin (lower-body injury) remains on injured reserve after missing four games. Now, Crosby is dealing with an upper-body issue suffered during Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout loss to New Jersey.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said about Crosby’s situation.
“Obviously, Sid is an important guy for us. He’s a tough guy to replace. I’m stating the obvious there.”
Crosby has recorded seven of his team-leading 58 points in the last five games for the Penguins, who are 2-0-1 following a stretch of losing seven in nine.
Kevin Hayes scored in the third period to force overtime against the Devils, but Pittsburgh was outlasted in the seven-round shootout.
“I think the guys are competing,” Sullivan said. “We’re trying to stay in the fight here for (a) playoff spot. We know what we’re up against.
“We’ve got two (games) left before the (4 Nations Face-Off) break. We got an opportunity to try to put ourselves in the best possible position.”
Pittsburgh, though, has been outscored 10-2 while losing the first two meetings this season with New York.
The Rangers are three points ahead of the Penguins and entered Thursday’s action four points out of the final wild-card spot in the East following Wednesday’s 3-2 home victory over Boston. Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider scored third-period goals to erase a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes.
Though Miller was blanked, he had two goals and two assists in his first two games since joining New York on Saturday. And his presence has rubbed off on new linemate Mika Zibanejad, who has a goal with five assists in the last three games for New York, which is 9-3-3 since Jan. 5.
“From the turn of the calendar, there’s been a lot more winning,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said.
“The confidence the guys gain from winning games, I think that builds inside the room. … It’s contagious.”
New York star Artemi Panarin has seven goals with 11 assists in the last 15 games. He’s posted two goals with three assists in the two games versus Pittsburgh this season.
The Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin stopped 15 of 17 shots Wednesday after allowing 14 goals while losing his previous three starts. Meanwhile, backup Jonathan Quick made 34 saves during Sunday’s 4-2 win versus Vegas, after giving up 16 goals in his previous three.
Pittsburgh’s Alex Nedeljkovic has a 1.84 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage in his last seven starts. Teammate Rickard Rakell has two goals with six assists in the last eight games.
–Field Level Media
