New York Rangers looking for best effort to force Game 7

The New York Rangers look to avoid elimination for the second time in this series when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night.  

The Blueshirts and Igor Shesterkin hope three times is the charm when they play Game Six of their best-of-seven series in hostile Pittsburgh. In their first two games on the road, the team was embarrassed allowing 14 goals and finding themselves down 3 games to 1.

New York’s finalist for both the Vezina and Hart Trophy was pulled in both games playing in just three periods combined. 

Rangers vs Penguins drama continues

The Penguins look to advance to the second round with a win but could be without their captain Sidney Crosby, who suffered an upper-body injury in the second period of Game 5.  

Defenseman Jacob Trouba collided with the Penguins captain on an open-ice hit that was more incidental than intentional.

Despite insinuations by Penguins’ head coach Mike Sullivan and the Pittsburgh media that it was an illegal hit, no penalty was called by the on-ice officials and the NHL Department of Players Safety felt no discipline was warranted.

Trouba can expect a rowdy Penguins fan base when he steps on the ice at the PPG Paints Arena. 

“It’s okay, it won’t be the first time.” he joked after practice on Thursday.

“At the time I didn’t know that was the play he got injured on,” Trouba admitted. “I tried going stick on puck and my stick in between his legs hitting his thigh pushing my arm up. It was a fluky play and not a massively hard contact.”

Following the hit, the Rangers scored three goals 2:24 minutes apart late in the second period to take a 3-2 lead en route to a 5-3 victory. 

Shesterkin needs to step up in Pittsburgh