New York Rangers (52-24-6, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (46-25-11, third in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rangers -122, Penguins +102; over/under is 6.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Penguins lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Rangers in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the sixth time this season. The Rangers won the previous meeting 5-3.
Pittsburgh is 13-8-3 against the Metropolitan Division and 46-25-11 overall. The Penguins have a +47 scoring differential, with 269 total goals scored and 222 given up.
New York is 52-24-6 overall and 14-8-1 against the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers have a 19-6-2 record in games their opponents commit more penalties.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has 31 goals and 53 assists for the Penguins. Michael Matheson has one goal and seven assists over the past 10 games.
Mika Zibanejad has scored 30 goals with 52 assists for the Rangers. Andrew Copp has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 6-4-0, averaging 4.1 goals, 6.7 assists, 3.4 penalties and 6.8 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
Rangers: 4-5-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: Tristan Jarry: out (foot), Rickard Rakell: day to day (head), Brian Dumoulin: day to day (undisclosed), Casey DeSmith: out for season (core), Sidney Crosby: day to day (undisclosed).
Rangers: Barclay Goodrow: out (lower body), Sammy Blais: out for season (lower body), Tyler Motte: out (upper body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by
