RECAP. Rick Nash Still Sucks. Pens WIN

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There are some games during an NHL season that you just look forward to.  They get your blood going before the game even starts and all you hope is that the Pens take a hot, steamy shit all over the ice and come out with a big win.  Philadelphia.  Detroit.  Washington.  At Montreal.  Last night was also one of those nights as the Pens went to MSG to play the Rangers.  MSG actually isn't lit like a bingo hall any more. That was more noticeable than anything the Rangers did last night.  

1st Period

The Pens got off to a great start when James Neal scored on the power play.  The Rangers answered shortly after on a 5 on 3.  Sutter when to the box right after Simon Despres did.  Sutter got called for some new face off infraction that was just implemented on Friday apparently.  Whatev.  The Pens killed the rest of the power play.  The game settled down and it look like it was gonna be one of those 3-1 or 2-1 snoozers.  Wrong.  The Pens got 2 quick goals to spread the lead to 3-1.  TK put in a rebound after Joe Vitale drove to the net and got a shot off.  And Matt Niskanen scored off a faceoff win by Sid.  Cooke to a dumb penalty late in the 1st.

2nd Period

Pens killed off Cooke's penalty.  The Rangers weren't even trying.  The Pens had 2 or 3 long 5 on 5 possessions in the Rangers zone during the 2nd period.  The Pens got a power play and were able to cash in.  Kunitz, Malkin, and Dupuis hooked up for a tic tac toe goal to make it 4-1 Pens.  That goal chased Lundqvist from the game.  It was all Pens all the time in the 2nd period.  Only sign of life for the Rangers in the 2nd was a shot in close by fat Rick Nash.  Vokoun was in his mouth.  Brad Richards closed his hand on the puck and some idiot shot the puck into the stands.  5 on 3 for the Pens to start the 3rd.  MSG was on Code Orange suicide watch

3rd Period

Rangers killed the 5 on 3.  Cool.  The Pens would make it 5-1 later when Manti Teo's girlfriend was playing defense on James Neal 10 feet from the goal.  Snipe cittttttyyy.  The Rangers scored to make it 5-2.  MSG acted like it was a big deal.  Surprisingly no fireworks or streamers after the Rangers scored.  The Pens got a power play but played with themselves to much.  Malkin with a turnover led to a fat Rick Nash shorty.  5-3. Yawn.  The Pens would bury the Rangers when Kris Letang scored an empty netter to make it 6-3.  Even after that Chris Kreider thought he was gonna score a natural hat trick or something until Orpik killed him.  Blue print on how to throw a clean body check.  GAAAAAAAAAAAAMEEE.

3 STARS

1. James Neal

2. Evgeni Malkin

3. Kris Letang

Pens next game is Wednesday.  Home Opener against Toronto.

Eric Tangradi is awful.  Missed the net completely on a shot from about 5-10 feet out.  

Paul Martin is playing well.

Remember when we were worried about the defense?

Go Pens