Snap Shots: Rangers 4, Pens 3 (OT)
* It was a solid game by the Pens, but also a frustrating one for the team. Pittsburgh dominated play for the opening 40 minutes of the game, but could only build a 2-0 lead. Pittsburgh put 14 shots on goal in the 1st period, but came up scoreless. The team broke through in the 2nd period, but its 2-0 lead could have easily been 5-0 with all of the scoring chances generated.
But the 3rd period was all about the Rangers. They had some serious push back and erased 2-0 and 3-2 leads. New York put up 14 shots in the 3rd frame, and most of those 14 were high quality opportunities. If not for some superb goaltending by Casey DeSmith, the Rangers may have stolen this contest in regulation.
Pittsburgh held strong enough to force overtime - and nearly won on Evgeni Malkin's penalty shot with 10 seconds remaining - but only came away with 1 point when it was all said and done. The Pens have a lot of positives in the game to point to, but the way they backed down in the 3rd period is disappointing. This game was the Pens' to win, and they failed to do so.
* Depth scoring is critical in winning games at this time of year, especially on the road. Pittsburgh's 3rd and 4th lines came up with the opening 2 goals of the game - the goals were 55 seconds apart and within the opening 2:48 of the 2nd period. With the Pens' Big Guns held in check, it was the depth guys that need to step up. They did just that.
* Forward Bryan Rust missed the past 2 games with a concussion, but returned to game action against the Rangers. The amazing thing about Rust is that his presence (or lack of) in the lineup makes the Pens a completely different team. The Pens are much faster and aggressive in transition with Rust. Without him, Pittsburgh doesn't have the same kind of jump. Even if he's not scoring, his effort and tenacity makes the Pens more dangerous.
* Though when Rust is scoring, it's all the more important. And that's just what he did in his return. Rust scored the game's opening goal 1:53 minutes into the 2nd period with a beautiful top-shelf shot from the far circle.
* Riley Sheahan is probably the best 4th-line center in the entire NHL. And his presence alone makes Pittsburgh's 4th unit a force with which to handle. Sheahan, who had 2 goals in 80 games last season, posted his 10th tally of the current year. He did it by skating through the slot and tipping a Kris Letang shot into the netting.
* Goalie Casey DeSmith was rewarded with another start following a strong effort against Dallas on Sunday. He responded with another solid effort.
DeSmith was particularly strong in the third period as the Rangers turned up the pressure. He made a pair of point-blank stops on Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad. His best save - perhaps the greatest of his young career - was a sliding, split stop on Jesper Fast to preserve a 1-goal lead.
DeSmith gave the Pens every chance to win and helped them take 1 point. Though no doubt he'd love another shot at Mika Zibanejad's overtime winner.
