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Rangers, Pens clash in the Steel City

Mar 20, 2011 - 3:07 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of surging Atlantic Division rivals will meet today in Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the New York Rangers for this afternoon's clash at CONSOL Energy Center.

New York has won three straight and five of its last six games, while the Penguins have won two in a row and are 5-1-2 over their last eight contests.

Pittsburgh enters today with 90 points, placing the Pens six behind Philadelphia for the Atlantic lead. Dan Bylsma's club is also fourth in the Eastern Conference and one point in front of idle Tampa Bay.

The Rangers are currently seventh in the East and two points ahead of Buffalo for the conference's final postseason berth.

Today's battle in the Steel City marks the final regular-season meeting between the Pens and Blueshirts this year. New York has taken three of five from Pittsburgh this season, but the Penguins still have 10 victories in the last 14 encounters overall.

The Rangers have won three straight in Pittsburgh, including both of their games at the Penguins' new arena.

Pittsburgh has recorded consecutive 5-1 victories, beating the visiting Edmonton Oilers last Sunday before notching Tuesday's win in Ottawa.

Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy both notched a goal and an assist to lead five different Pittsburgh goal scorers, as the Penguins rolled past Ottawa, 5-1, at Scotiabank Place.

Zbynek Michalek, Ben Lovejoy and Matt Cooke also tallied for Pittsburgh, which has won four of its last five games. Chris Kunitz posted three assists in the win while Brent Johnson made 21 saves.

"It's nice that we can compliment each other when we're out there and put pucks to the right areas. It's nice to be successful," Kunitz said of new linemates Staal and Kennedy.

Of course, The Penguins are still awaiting the possible return of captain Sidney Crosby. The Penguins have been without the services of Crosby since Jan. 5 because of a concussion, but the center is still tops on the club with 32 goals and 66 points.

Crosby began skating on Monday for the first time since his injury and has continued to work out on the ice. However, it is still unknown when, or if, the superstar can return to game action this season.

Another Penguins forward could return from a concussion today, however, as Arron Asham is expected to be activated from injured reserve in time for this afternoon's game. Asham last played on Feb. 1, when he sustained a concussion against the Rangers.

Pittsburgh is 22-12-2 as the host this season and has won two of its last three tilts on home ice.

The Rangers played Friday night against Montreal and recorded a 6-3 victory over the visiting Canadiens. Artem Anisimov totaled a goal and an assist in the first period as New York used a five-goal opening frame to lead the club to its first three-game winning streak since Jan. 5-7.

Dan Girardi, Marian Gaborik, Brian Boyle and Ryan Callahan all scored in the first period to help the Rangers.

"We wanted to start off good at home," said Girardi. "The fans really got us going, they were nice and loud and we got off to a great first period."

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 22 shots for New York and became the first goaltender in NHL history to record at least 30 wins in each of his first six seasons.

However, Lundqvist, who is 30-24-4 this season, is questionable for today's game with a stiff neck. Chad Johnson will get the start if New York's No. 1 backstop can't go today.