The New York Rangers season is winding down with the Pittsburgh Penguins visiting MSG for the final time this season.
New York Rangers 29-32-13
Pittsburgh Penguins 41-24-11
Television: MSG Network
Venue: Madison Square Garden
The New York Rangers will play their 75th game of the year and first since being officially eliminated from playoff contention. They’ll play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden Monday night.
This will be the third matchup between the two teams. The Penguins won 7-2 in Pittsburgh on Jan. 2 and defeated the Rangers 6-5 Feb. 17 at the Garden.
New York will be without both Jesper Fast and Chris Kreider when the Blueshirts take the ice. Defenseman Marc Staal has been battling an injury and will be a game-time decision. Connor Brickley is scheduled to be a healthy scratch for the contest.
Rangers projected lineup
Brendan Lemieux – Mika Zibanejad – Pavel Buchnevich
Vladislav Namestnikov – Filip Chytil – Vinni Lettieri
Jimmy Vesey – Lias Andersson – Ryan Strome
Brendan Smith – Brett Howden – Boo Nieves
Brady Skjei – Kevin Shattenkirk
Fredrik Claesson – Tony DeAngelo
John Gilmour – Neal Pionk
Alexandar Georgiev
The Rangers have earned at least one point in 17 of their last 25 games against the Penguins, dating back to April 3, 2013 (11-8-6 record over the span). In addition, New York has earned at least one point in five of its last eight games against Pittsburgh, dating back to March 31, 2017 (3-3-2 record).
Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich has points in three straight games (two goals, one assist) and six goals in his past 10 games.
Stat of the day
Six of the Rangers’ last 13 games and 21 of their 74 games this season have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. New York has played at least 21 games which have been decided in either overtime or a shootout in one season for the first time since 2008-09 (22). In addition, the Rangers are tied for the second-most of those such games in the NHL.
The Penguins are third in the division with 93 points, three behind the first-place Washington Capitals and two behind the second-place New York Islanders.
Pittsburgh won’t have defenseman Kris Letang available against the Rangers. Letang is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
