The Stanley Cup Playoffs take center stage at Madison Square Garden tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins limp into the Big Apple to take on the New York Rangers in Game #1 of the Stanley Cup Playoff Eastern Quarterfinal series.
The Rangers come in as the #1 overall seed, having secured home ice through the entirety of the playoffs based off of their 113-point season. The Penguins come in as the 2nd wild card team in the Eastern Conference after posting a 98 point season. During the regular season, the Rangers held a 3-0-1 advantage over the Penguins.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - KEY PLAYERS
SIDNEY CROSBY - No Penguin conversation can begin other than with #87. He is, even in a down year, the best player on the Penguins roster. During the regular season, the Pens Captain scored, in a down year for him but a great year for anyone else, 28 goals, and 56 assists for a team high 84 points. He is the straw that stirs the drink, and coming off a down year, preceded by a down playoff season last year, Crosby may feel he has something to prove. Combine that with the fact that nobody is really giving Pittsburgh much chance in this series, and we may see a very determined #87.
EVGENI MALKIN - The enigmatic #71 always seems to play well against the Rangers, and is looking to lead this team forward. He always seems to score against the Rangers, too.
MARC-ANDRE FLEURY - After another stellar regular season where he lead the league with 10 shutouts, the question again will be "But can he do it in the playoffs?" It seems the Penguis won the Stanley Cup in 2009 in spite of him, and he has earned a reputation as a playoff choker. The Rangers will be looking to pepper him with shots and hope he lets up a soft one, because when he does, the floodgates usually open.
PAUL MARTIN - The reason Fleury may be bombarded is because the Penguin defense is completely threadbare. Kris Letang and Christian Ehrhoff are out, so the one defenseman to watch is Martin. The former Devil will be counted on to provide offense and leadership to a group that may sport the likes of Ben Lovejoy, Brian Dumoulin (who?), Taylor Chorney (isn't he in One Direction?) and Scott Harrington (I think he plays in my beer league).
NEW YORK RANGERS KEY PLAYERS
RICK NASH - The lone All-Star from the best team in the league - which doesn't sound right at all when you think about it - is coming off of a 42 goal campaign. He's also coming off of a very disappointing playoff run last year, so it will behoove the Rangers to have this year's Nash show up, and not last year's. He plays all three zones extremely well, and I would think is eager to erase last year from everyone's memory.
HENRIK LUNDQVIST - The King is determined to get to the throne, and with the stigma of Los Angeles not being a threat this time around, many believe this will be the year he does it. Since his return from injury, he has looked stellar. His only concern will be crease crashers, but hopefully the defense will take care of that.
KEITH YANDLE - The Rangers picked up the offensively gifted blueliner for a long playoff run, and as a power play quarterback, he should have plenty of chances to stimulate the offense, as Pittsburgh led the NHL in penalty minutes this year - but that's what happens when you employ phony tough guys like Steve Downie and Chris Kunitz. The Rangers HAVE to take advantage of the power play - and Yandle has to deliver on that.
The puck drops at Madsion Square Garden at 7:00 PM and will be shown on the MSG Network, with Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti on the call. Follow me at @newbluereview for live tweets during the game.
The playoffs have arrived - and the Cup is in sight. 16 wins to go.
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