Preview: Rangers Battle Penguins at MSG

Rangers (31-32-7, 69 pts) vs. Penguins (40-26-4, 84 pts)

8 pm; Madison Square Garden

NBCSN; ESPN 98.7 FM

The Rangers are 1-1-1 in three games against Pittsburgh this season, most recently dropping a 5-2 decision on the road on Jan. 14. Zuccarello and David Desharnais lead the Blueshirts with three points in the season series.
The Penguins have won six of their last 10 and are in a dogfight for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, a point behind Washington and three up on the Flyers. They're coming off a 3-1 win on Sunday over the Dallas Stars.
Evgeni Malkin leads the club with 87 points, one behind Tampa's Nikita Kucherov for the most in the NHL, while his 39 goals are third overall. Winger Phil Kessel has 78 points followed by Sidney Crosby's 76, including a team-high 53 helpers.
With No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray sidelined with a concussion, it's been rookie Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry splitting time in goal. DeSmith was victorious in his last start against the Stars, while Jarry has wins in three of his last four starts.

Players to Watch

Georgiev's 41 saves on Monday were the most by a Rangers rookie goaltender since Dan Blackburn's 43 on April 13, 2002. The 22-year-old has 30 saves in each of his four career starts and has a .930 SV% in five appearances this season.
The Penguins made a big splash at the deadline when they added former Ranger Derick Brassard to the team in a three-team deal involving Ottawa and Vegas. Thus far, Brassard has a goal and an assist in seven games in Pittsburgh, but has been held off the scoresheet in four consecutive games.

Inside the Numbers

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 22 games against the Penguins, dating back to Apr. 3, 2013 (10-6-6 record over the span).