Rangers defeat Penguins, move into second in Metropolitan

PITTSBURGH --Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, and the New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time in five days, 3-2 at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Kreider has scored 45 goals this season. His previous career high was 28.
"It was an intense game," Kreider said. "All the games are at this time of the year with where our team is in the standings. The level of intensity is ramped up every single game as we get to the end here."
Frank Vatrano scored for the third straight game, and Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves for the Rangers (43-19-5), who have won five of six and moved one point ahead of the Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division.
"Before the game, look at the standings. You know you're one point behind them," New York coach Gerard Gallant said. "We have a game in hand. You know it's a big game coming in here, so let's go play a good hockey game tonight. … We knew we were going to get challenged tonight.
"We played a real good hockey game tonight. So I'm proud of our group. They played great."

Sidney Crosby scored, and Tristan Jarry made 23 saves for the Penguins (40-18-10), who have lost three of four (1-2-1), including 5-1 to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
"It was a way different game tonight than on Friday," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "It was a way different game. It was a low-event game. I don't think there were significant scoring chances on either side. I think that's a testament to both teams' commitment to defend hard.
"It just felt like you're fighting for every inch of ice out there in all three zones. We were trying to force them to do the same. They got a couple of looks. They finished."
Brian Boyle gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 14:24 of the first period, deflecting a shot from Brian Dumoulin. He has scored in consecutive games after getting one goal in his previous 16.
"I think when we executed, we had momentum," Boyle said. "When we didn't, they had momentum. They got chances. We're not thrilled with the whole of our game."
Vatrano tied it 1-1 at 13:32 of the second period on a wrist shot from the right hash marks off a backhand pass from Mika Zibanejad. He has scored four goals in his past three games and five in seven since being acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 16.
Braden Schneider gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead at 17:04, scoring on a one-timer from the high slot off a pass from Artemi Panarin.
"We have such a great group of guys," Schneider said. "To be able to be playing with everyone on our team and to be part of this is pretty special. I just hope we can keep rolling like we are. It's been a lot of fun."
Kreider pushed it to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 1:06 of the third period. After a shot from Adam Fox bounced off the end boards, Kreider got the rebound and chipped a shot past an outstretched Jarry.

Crosby cut it to 3-2 at 10:37 with a slap shot through a screen by Jake Guentzel on a power play.
"I thought we played a little bit better," Guentzel said. "I think we know we have another level to go. Thought we pushed in the third, but you've got to have a full 60 minutes, and (I) think there's still another level for us to get to. We've just got to make sure that we keep going here in trying to get the next one.
"We know we're going against some tough opponents coming up. This is the best time to play hockey, so it's going to be fun to go on the road and see what we're made of."
NOTES: Crosby has scored 70 points (25 goals, 45 assists) in 56 games. He will average at least one point per game for the 17th season, tying Gordie Howe for the second-most in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (19). … Rangers forward Ryan Strome did not play because of a lower-body injury sustained in the first period of a 5-4 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. He is day to day.