Rangers at Penguins preview

RANGERS (31-36-14) at PENGUINS (44-26-11)
7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, MSG, NHL.TV

The Penguins, who clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, would move into second in the division if they defeat the Rangers in any fashion and the New York Islanders lose to the Washington Capitals in regulation. If that occurs, the Penguins would have home-ice advantage against the Islanders in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Pittsburgh, which has won 11 of its past 17 games (11-4-2), would finish as the first wild card into the playoffs from the East if it loses in regulation and the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in any fashion. If neither scenario occurs, it would remain third in the division.
The Rangers, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, have lost three straight (0-2-1), and are 3-8-2 in their past 13. They have been outscored 18-9 in three loses to the Penguins this season.

Players to watch

Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past nine games.
Penguins forward Phil Kessel has three goals in his past two games after scoring three in his previous 29.

They said it

"We have one more game left to end on a good note and show the coaches and management that we're still here and working hard." -- Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei
"We can finish in a wide variety of spots, so this is an important one." -- Penguins forward Bryan Rust

Rangers projected lineup

Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Pavel Buchnevich
Brendan Lemieux -- Brett Howden -- Ryan Strome
Vladislav Namestnikov -- Lias Andersson -- Jimmy Vesey
Brendan Smith -- Boo Nieves -- Vinni Lettieri
Brady Skjei -- Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal -- Tony DeAngelo
Ryan Lindgren
-- Neal Pionk
Henrik Lundqvist
Alexandar Georgiev
Scratched:Connor Brickley, John Gilmour, Fredrik Claesson
Injured:Libor Hajek (separated shoulder), Jesper Fast (upper body), Filip Chytil (upper body)

Penguins projected lineup

Jared McCann -- Sidney Crosby -- Jake Guentzel
Bryan Rust -- Evgeni Malkin -- Phil Kessel
Dominik Simon -- Nick Bjugstad -- Patric Hornqvist
Teddy Blueger -- Matt Cullen -- Garrett Wilson
Olli Maatta -- Kris Letang
Jack Johnson -- Justin Schultz
Marcus Pettersson -- Erik Gudbranson
Matt Murray
Casey DeSmith
Scratched:Zach Trotman
Injured: Chad Ruhwedel (upper body), Zach Aston-Reese (lower body), Brian Dumoulin (lower body)

Status report

The Rangers did not hold a morning skate after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. ... Dumoulin is expected to miss his third straight game.

Stat pack

Lundqvist, who could start after Georgiev made 39 saves Friday, needs one win for 450 in the NHL. ... Crosby needs two points to reach 100 in a season for the first time since 2013-14, and the sixth time in the NHL.