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Defending Stanley Cup champion Florida opened its season with a 3-2 win over Chicago on a third-period goal by Jesper Boqvist.
The Penguins lead the Rangers 1-0 in the second intermission, with Avalanche–Kings up next. Follow live as The Athletic’s NHL writers cover all the action tonight.
Schedule (Times ET):
Streaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now). Get in touch with us: live@theathletic.com
Norman W.: Not a very inspiring two periods by the Rangers. Seems very disjointed. Opening night jitters maybe. Bench Trocheck and let Laba take the 2C spot in the 3rd period.
David H.: Only two periods, but I can’t believe I’m watching a defensively responsible Penguins team.
Alex R.: Mika looking a little more active compared to last year but still a soft shooter.
Cobra S.: Laba really looking like a bright spot.
Matt O.: Wild how Crosby is still the best player on the ice, and it’s not even close.
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In his in-game TV interview, Mike Sullivan said the Rangers had "little bit of hesitation in our game." Through two periods, that's an accurate assessment. The Sidney Crosby line has generated will against the Will Cuylle–J.T. Miller–Mika Zibanejad line, and Miller and Artemi Panarin both have shown signs of rust after missing time in the preseason with injuries. Panarin drew a penalty on Kris Letang late in the second, though, and the Rangers will be on the power play to start the third period.
Mika Zibanejad has been active tonight. He's probably been the Rangers' best top-six player. Panarin and Miller both look a bit rusty coming off preseason injuries.
End P2 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Great look for the Rangers but Arturs Silovs is right there.
Mika Zibanejad fires a one-timer on goal but the shot does not challenge the Penguins keeper.
Moments later, Zibanejad rips another shot on target with the same result.
While the Rangers did not score there, that was the most pressure they've applied to the Penguins tonight.
New York will have 55 seconds remaining on the power play to start the third period.
P2 1:05 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Off a bad Pittsburgh turnover, the puck finds Mika Zibanejad again. This time his wrist shot is saved Arturs Silovs before the goaltender walls up against Will Cuylle's rebound attempt.
Kris Letang trips Artemi Panarin moments later, giving New York its second power play of the night.
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The Penguins just had the best chance for either team this period when Sidney Crosby found Ville Koivunen in front of the net. The young Finnish forward put himself in position to beat Igor Shesterkin, but his shot hit the post.
P2 3:45 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Ville Koivunen finds the post from point blank range.
Shesterkin had fallen out of position but Koivunen doinked it off the iron.
New York got away with one there …
Q2 6:23 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Nice pad save from Igor Shesterkin there.
Pittsburgh had a 4-on-2 break, ending with a snapshot from Thomas Novak.
Shesterkin was beaten earlier but he's shown good poise in a few difficult situations tonight, as you would expect from a goaltender of his quality.
Great start for the Penguins as we are about halfway through regulation. They're out-working the Rangers noticeably. Young Ben Kindel has been one of the best players on the ice. However, my pick for best player on the ice for the Penguins right now is Erik Karlsson. Looks like a different guy.
P2 11:00 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
New York has brought physicality to this game but has not been able to generate quality looks consistently on offense.
Pittsburgh converted on their best look of the night in the first period on an excellent play by Malkin.
New York is still chasing an equalizer.
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P2 12:36 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Noel Acciari's wrist shot from the middle of the ice is saved by Igor Shesterkin.
New York turned it over in a dangerous spot but Acciari could not capitalize on the chance.
P2 14:47 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
The Rangers nearly scored there as the puck ricocheted off the boards and directly to Mika Zibanejad but his wrister zoomed wide.
That was one of New York's better opportunities tonight.
Q2 20:00 – Penguins 1, Rangers 0
Sidney Crosby wins the faceoff as the second period gets underway.
Stuart P.: Another “end of the period Rangers brainfart.” Seen this before …
Eric D.: So far this team looks a lot like last season. Also, Brazeau is 6'5. No idea how Drury missed him.
Steve D.: Great work by Malkin.
Alex R.: I know New York's personnel isn’t great but this feels like a pre-season game where they are just throwing people into different spots.
Below is Justin Brazeau's first goal tonight, giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a 1-0 lead over the New York Rangers through 20 minutes.
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The Penguins struck first. Evgeni Malkin won an offensive-zone faceoff against Vincent Trocheck, then fed the loose puck to Justin Brazeau in front of the net. Brazeau finished past Igor Shesterkin to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.
In good news for the Rangers, their new-look third line looked serviceable early. Noah Laba, making his NHL debut, didn't look out of place, and Conor Sheary made a nice play to break up a Benjamin Kindel look. The line also had a dangerous rush chance but couldn't convert it into a strong shot on Arturs Silovs.
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Good period for the Penguins. Badly outworked the Rangers. Silovs looks shaky with the glove — couple of bad rebounds — but still stopped every shot he faced. Karlsson really good that period. Kindel as well.