Game #82 - vs New York Rangers

New York Rangers (42-29-10, 94 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (46-24-11, 103 pts)

Prior meetings:
Rangers 2, Penguins 1 on March 19th in New York
Penguins 3, Rangers 2 (OT) on March 10th in Pittsburgh
Penguins 4, Rangers 3 (SO) on March 1st in New York
Rangers 3, Penguins 2 (SO) on December 7th in New York
Rangers 2, Penguins 1 (OT) on November 25th in Pittsburgh
Penguins 3, Rangers 1 on November 18th in Pittsburgh
Penguins 6, Rangers 5 on October 12th in New York

The scenario for tonight is very simple. Win the game and hope the Senators lose in regulation or OT. If that happens, the Pens will have home ice for their first round series.

The Rangers have been hot on their way to the playoffs. They've lost only twice in regulation since the beginning of March (Lundqvist has lost only once in regulation). The main reason has been defense and goal tending.

The Pens have won 4 of the 7 games so far against the Rangers and can clinch the season series with a win tonight. That would be nice.

Rangers blog -
I'm not going to single out one blog this time. They're all singing about the Rangers clinching the playoffs. Good for them. I hope the Pens can help out (ie, beat the Rangers in regulation) and force the Rangers into 7th, where they'll have to play the Devils. The Rangers have lost 4 in a row against the Devils.

More than anything else, the Pens need a win to go into the playoffs on a high note, and to give themselves a shot at the #1 seed. It's the last game of the year. You should be watching - the Igloo will be rocking.

Let's Go Pens!