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

Apr 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) is knocked down while skating with the puck by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Steve Downie (23) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Limit penalty minutes

Pittsburgh has found themselves marching to the penalty box throughout the series thus far, just as the Pens did all season long.

While the Rangers’ powerplay hasn’t been spectacular this season – they ranked 11th in the league in this department heading into the playoffs – it remains unwise to continuously give man-advantage opportunities to a club that boasts one of the game’s most dangerous goal-scorers in Rick Nash.

The Rangers have netted two powerplay goals so far in this series. Their first ended up being the game-winner in Game One, while the second tally almost sparked a comeback for the Rangers in Game Two.

Through the first three games, Pittsburgh has finished with the most total penalty minutes in all three contests. They’ve racked up a total of 34 penalty minutes to New York’s 18.

Pittsburgh may have survived thus far due to their elite penalty-kill, but as the intensity of the playoffs ramp up and the games get closer, the Pens must eliminate the edge they’re currently giving to their opponent.