5 Ways for the Pittsburgh Penguins to Shock the New York Rangers
By Will Tomer
May 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
1. Find The Weak Link
Considering that the Penguins have struggled mightily recently to put the puck in the net and the Rangers enter the playoffs with one of the league’s top-ranked defenses, it will be vital for the team to pinpoint a weakness in the Rangers’ blueline for exploitation.
The man who fits the bill would be Dan Girardi. Despite holding down his role as a first pairing defenseman, Girardi is above and away the weakest link in the Rangers defensive corps. Other than third pairing defenseman Chris Summers, nobody on the Rangers has been on the ice for as many 5-on-5 Corsi chances as Girardi. Additionally, only Summers has a greater disparity than Girardi between his Corsi-For and Corsi-Against. He has been forced to play among the most minutes on the squad and its toll is beginning to show on his performance.
If the Penguins can pressure Girardi and force him to make mistakes, they should be able to generate results on the scoreboard.