The New York Rangers took a 2-1 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday by winning Game 3 of their opening-round battle, 2-1. Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider scored for the Blueshirts, and Henrik Lundqvist turned in a strong performance, earning his 45th career postseason victory.
Rangers vs. Penguins 2015 final score: New York takes series lead with 2-1 victory
New York jumped ahead early and held on to reclaim home ice advantage.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Patric Hornqvist tallied Pittsburgh's lone goal of the night.
The Rangers broke a scoreless tie with 11:17 left in the first period when Keith Yandle sent a beautiful pass to Hagelin, who split two Penguins, skated between the circles and beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a slap shot. Yandle, who led all NHL defensemen with 46 regular season assists in 2014-15, showed Pittsburgh -- Ian Cole, in particular -- why he's so dangerous.
Kreider converted for New York 8:53 into the second frame for what would become the game-winner. Defenseman Marc Staal appeared to shoot wide intentionally so the puck could carom right to Kreider’s stick on the doorstep, and the young forward made his one shot of the night count.
Lundqvist rebounded from a poor showing on Sunday, as he turned aside 23-of-24 pucks that came his way. Fleury was solid in his own right, saving 24-of-26, and did an admirable job staving off an early New York attack that could have created a far more lopsided affair.
Hornqvist gave the Pens some life by potting a wrister with 6:48 left in regulation, but none of Pittsburgh’s other 29 third-period attempts made it into the net.
These Atlantic Division rivals will return to action on Wednesday for Game 4 at CONSOL Energy Center. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
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