Round 2 preview, pick: Pittsburgh vs. New York

The Penguins had a four-goal lead heading into the third period. The lead fell to only one that Pittsburgh barely was able to hold onto in the end to close out the series.

Metropolitan Division Finals
(M1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M2) New York Rangers

Season series: Rangers won 3-1-1

They have a history: This will be the first time Pittsburgh and New York will meet in postseason since 2008, a series in which the Rangers blew a 4-0 Game 1 lead at Mellon Arena. The Penguins stormed back to win that opening contest 5-4, carrying that momentum all the way to a 4-1 series victory and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. This will be the teams’ fifth postseason meeting all-time.

For the Penguins to win: Pittsburgh advanced in a tough, six-game series against the Columbus Blue Jackets thanks to their leading point posters, defencemen Matt Niskanen and Paul Martin. Evgeni Malkin, playing with Sidney Crosby, posted a hat trick in Pittsburgh’s series-clinching game, and that duo — playing with Chris Kunitz — formulates a fearsome top line. Crosby has not scored in 11 playoff games, a fact that has frustrated Pittsburgh locals. For the Pens to overcome the Rangers, they’ll need Crosby to be the series’ best player.

Best Penguins storyline: Of course, it’s in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury may have won a playoff series for the first time since 2010, but he was still shaky in net against Columbus. Fleury posted a .902 save percentage and 3.12 goals-against average in three games against the Rangers this year. In short, New York has his number. Good thing the Pens have home-ice advantage, because Fleury has a career .895 save percentage and 3.36 goals-against average at Madison Square Garden.

Leading scorers: Matt Niskanen and Paul Martin, eight points each

Game 1 starter: Marc-Andre Fleury, 4-2, 2.81 goals-against average, .908 save percentage

For the Rangers to win: New York’s third line — Mats Zuccarello-Derick Brassard-Benoit Pouliot — has been its most potent this post-season, but if the Rangers are going to match the high-powered Penguins, they’ll need Rick Nash to play like a superstar. Nash failed to notch a goal in seven games against the Philadelphia Flyers. He hasn’t scored in his last 10 playoff games and has just two goals in 23 career NHL playoff games.

Best Rangers storyline: Can New York continue to get secondary scoring if Nash fails to net goals? Eight Rangers are tied for the team lead with two goals — including Daniel Carcillo, Dominic Moore and Pouliot. The Rangers masked Nash thanks to a big-time performance by veterans Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards, but they’ll need more firepower against the high-flying Penguins.

Leading scorers: Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis, six points each

Game 1 starter: Henrik Lundqvist, 4-3, 2.11 goals-against average, .919 save percentage

Matchup to watch: Defence partners Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh vs. the Crosby line. Girardi and McDonagh didn’t have a great series against the Flyers, but they played stellar in Game 7. Regardless if Penguins coach Dan Bylsma continues to play Malkin with Crosby and Kunitz or moves Lee Stempniak back on Crosby’s right wing, if the Rangers’ best defence pair can limit Pittsburgh’s top line and lengthen Crosby’s goal drought, New York’s chances of winning go up.

Big question: Can Lundqvist steal the series? He’s undoubtedly the better goalie here, but in the second round he has a career 2.65 goals-against average.

Best bet: Rangers in six.

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