RANGERS 101

The New York Rangers are starting to learn that life at the top of the mountain isn't so easy, as they are getting every team's best shot night in and night out. After going to overtime to pull out a win against the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers traveled to Pittsburgh to face a Penguins team coming off a 6-2 thrashing from the Buffalo Sabres. The Penguins looked like a completely different team as they beat the Rangers 2-0.

The Penguins had a ton of energy from the start and their speed gave the Rangers some trouble. There were some odd-man rushes throughout the night and despite Henrik Lundqvist's best effort he wasn't able to keep the game scoreless. The Penguins finally pushed one across 1:05 into the second period on an Evgeni Malkin breakaway. Malkin skated towards the net from Lundqvist's right, going to his backhand to beat the All Star goalie and give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.

The Penguins extended their lead to two goals when Steve Sullivan scored on a slap shot from the point on the power play. Lundqvist was screened on the play and their didn't seem to be much he could do, though he put the blame on himself after the game for not finding the puck.

The Penguins didn't deny that the Rangers being in town gave them some extra motivation.

"We wanted to make a statement with every shift, every period we play against them," Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma told reporters after the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury was stellar between the pipes for Pittsburgh as he recorded his 22nd career shutout, tying the franchise's all-time mark. He turned away all 27 Rangers shots and kept them off the board over the course of three power play opportunities. The rangers power play has once again become an area of concern.

The Rangers will look to avoid their first losing streak since December when they visit the New York Islanders on Friday night. Always an intense matchup, the Islanders are riding a two-game losing streak and will be looking to snap that against their hated rivals.

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