TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Because of the plodding schedule of the first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers, it is the most difficult of the eight first-round matchups to get a handle on. That's not to say the first two games haven't been chock full of intrigue, drama and more than a little subterfuge. This matchup might yet become one of the most compelling series when all is said and done. But here are some fundamental truths about the Penguins and Rangers -- and a series that has yet to fully reveal itself -- heading into Game 3 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Crunch in the crease
The Jeff Zatkoff story was a great one when this series started, but was that the faint chiming of midnight at Cinderella's ball after the Rangers stormed back to win Game 2 by a 4-2 count? The loss wasn't the goaltender's fault, but the reality is that over a seven-game series, there is no way Zatkoff will consistently outduel Henrik Lundqvist, who was terrific in Game 2 after returning from a potentially scary eye injury that kept him out of the last two periods of Game 1.
At some point, it would seem imperative for Marc-Andre Fleury -- who has been recovering from his second concussion this season but skated yet again with the Penguins at their practice facility Monday before flying to New York -- to play in this series. Maybe the Penguins' thinking was that, since Zatkoff was great in Game 1, why not give him the chance in Game 2 -- especially with two off days before Game 3? But if not Game 3 for Fleury, then when? And when is too late?
Another wrinkle: Matt Murray also skated Monday, and he has not been with his teammates since he got rocked by Brayden Schenn of the Philadelphia Flyers in Pittsburgh's last regular-season game. Murray's fine play during Fleury's absence had moved Zatkoff down the Penguins depth chart. That said, it seems unlikely that Murray would be ready to back up Fleury, let alone be ready to play ahead of Fleury.
For New York, D is the key
With Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi out with an upper-body injury and captain Ryan McDonagh's status still unknown after he skated in a full practice on Monday, it's worth noting that the Rangers actually defended pretty well in Game 2 as rookie Dylan McIlrath got his first taste of NHL playoff action.
If the Penguins can't find a way to exploit New York's defense with their speedy forward corps -- as they did while winning Game 1 -- it will limit their ability to assert control in the series. The Rangers were able to get to the Pens' defense in Game 2, as Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley and Ian Cole all had forgettable moments in the loss.
"Both teams try to make clean passes out of their own end, but with quick pressure on the 'D,' those young kids or old legs can only wrap it around the board or glass," said one NHL talent evaluator.
Malkin: Front and center?
Apart from brief moments of chemistry and production, the tantalizing pairing of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same line at even strength (the power play is a different beast) has rarely delivered the goods in the playoffs. Malkin, who missed Game 1 against the Rangers because of injury, and Crosby skated together often in Saturday's loss, in part because Pittsburgh fell behind in the second period. But Malkin is always going to be more effective playing down the middle, and even he seemed to accept that flipping back and forth between center and wing might not be the best course of action. Coach Mike Sullivan will have to come to grips with this as Malkin works himself back into game shape.
The Pens' chances of a long playoff run depend in large part on a healthy, productive Malkin -- but he needs to find his groove sooner rather than later. And his coaching staff is feeling the pressure to help him get there.
Powerless Rangers
With that much power on the ice for the Penguins, the Rangers will continue to take penalties at their peril, even if the Pens power play had been a bit of a work in progress heading into this series. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh has scored three times (out of 10 opportunities) on the power play in the first two games, while the Rangers are 1-for-8.
Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein noted that both of the Pens' power-play units have a lot of shooters -- and that puts a premium on being able to block shots. As for those penalties that trigger the power play, Vigneault got a good dig at officials, whom he said have missed obvious fouls against his players.
"We have been on the end of a lot of hit situations, stickwork that has not been called," Vigneault said. "You just have to play through it and you just got to play. That's what we're trying to do, stay focused. We've always been very disciplined.
"I'm hoping that we're going to do that and I'm hoping that the referees are going to call what they need to call."