Penguins Gameday #26 (Rangers)

Penguins (15-8-2, 32 pts) (2nd Atlantic, 4th East)

Rangers (14-10-1, 30 pts) (3rd Atlantic, 6th East)

Where: Madison Square Garden

When: 7:00 ET

TV: FSNPIT

Pens are coming off a great weekend homestand. Rags are also coming off a pair of weekend wins. Slowly but surely both of these teams are creeping their way back up to the Flyers, and theoretically the Pens can tie Philadelphia in the standings with a win. With the Devils and Isles all but out of it already, every division game with either NYR or PHI should be treated like a playoff game so this should be a good one.

Opponents to Watch:

Marian Gaborik- He will probably be a mainstay on this preview list every time the Pens face the Rangers. He was quiet the last time the 2 teams met so expect him to come flying with a little extra fire. He cherrypicks a lot, so watch for breakaways.

Brandon Dubinsky- Trashed the Pens the last time the 2 teams played. Oh, and he leads the team in goals and points. This guy has the moves and the grit to establish himself on this preview list quite a bit also.

Marc Staal- Best blue line threat NYR has, not to mention he is pretty decent on defense too.

Keys to Victory:

-Get Letang/Orpik out against Gaborik as much as possible. Letang is the only Pens defenseman with the speed to chase him down from behind on a breakaway if necessary, and Brooks is the type of player who wouldn't let him get many breakaways in the first place.

-Don't let Avery trick you into committing stupid penalties. Rangers' PP unit has been hot the last few games, so it's best not to give them many chances.

-The best time to score on Lundqvist is right after you just scored on Lundqvist. Maybe if the Pens get a few quick ones in on Henry than they can grab control of the game early.

Notes:

-Gaborik actually isn't a lock to start. He has been battling an illness, and is listed as day-to-day.

-Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal also out for the Rangers.

-Only Staal out for the Pens.