PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Rangers score three times in the first five minutes in a 5-1 loss for the Pens.
Just two minutes into the hockey game, the third shot on net resulted in an Alexis Lafreniere goal as the Rangers struck first 1-0.
Chris Kreider scored his 43rd goal of the season a minute and fifty seconds later as the Rangers were in full command early 2-0.
18 seconds later Frank Vatrano put one past Tristan Jarry as the rangers led 3-0 not even five minutes into the game.
"We gave up three in the first five minutes," said Evan Rodrigues. "It's not the way you're going to have success. We got behind the eight ball early and couldn't seem to fight our way back."
A double minor was assessed for a high stick on Dryden Hunt as the Pens went on the power play with 4:10 to play in the first period. New York killed plenty of clock and got multiple shots on net as the Pens only registered two shots on net during the power play.
After a delay of game on the Rangers for a puck out of play, the Pens went on a second power play and did not capitalize. The Rangers scored a short handed goal as Kreider scored his second of the game and the Pens were down 4-0.
Jarry was pulled after the goal but Casey DeSmith was hit in the head and left the game so Jarry was brought back.
In the third period finally the Pens got on the board as Kasperi Kapanen scored his second goal in four games to make it 4-1 Rangers.
With under 3 minutes to play the Rangers added one more goal as Andrew Copp scored to make it 5-1 Rangers.
"We got outplayed in ever facet of the game, we got outcoached in every facet of the game," said Mike Sullivan. "There are not excuses for it, they were just way better than us in every area."
First Of Three With Rangers
This was the first of three meetings with the Rangers in a span of two weeks. If the season ended today these two teams would face in the playoffs. Sidney Crosby said they can't have games like this again.
"There's not much to take from that one. You can't expect to show up and get a win. There is not a lot we can take from that one to be honest," said Crosby.
Injury Report
Evgeni Malkin missed the game due to illness.
Casey DeSmith left the game due to a head injury. Mike Sullivan said he hasn't heard any updates yet on him.
Up Next
The Pens host the Detroit Red Wings Sunday night at 5:00. The Wings will be playing on a back-to-back as they host Tampa Bay Saturday at 12:30.