Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 5 Changes Pens Must Make to Move Past First Round

Apr 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) skates with the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Steve Downie (23) chases during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4. Limit shots from the opposition

Key among the Pens’ problems has been the fact that they’ve seemed at times overwhelmed by New York’s offense.

While the Rangers have utilized their speed and much better transition game (aided by the fact that the Penguins’ defensive corps has been decimated by injuries), they’ve mostly managed to achieve this pressure by consistently putting the puck on net.

Through the first three games, the Pens have been outshot three consecutive times.

New York overpowered Pittsburgh with 38 shots in Game One, before putting up 26 apiece in Games Two and Three.

While the latter two totals aren’t anything to write home about, the fact that the Rangers have been able to get the upper hand in the shots department in all three games has been crucial to them coming away with the offensive edge in close, hard-fought games like the series’ two 2-1 affairs.

Pittsburgh must focus on cutting off more plays through the neutral zone and blocking more shots to help out their netminder if they want to gain the edge in these close games.