Goaltending a major problem in Penguins 5-3 defeat to Rangers

The Penguins came into their Sunday matinee against the Rangers looking to rebound from being run out of their own barn against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. But it was more of the same as the Penguins dominated the Rangers in shots and on-ice play but not on the scoreboard.

The Penguins gave up 4 goals that all should have been kept out of their net and then an empty netter as they gave up a 1-0 lead and then a 3-2 lead in the third period in a 5-3 defeat at the paint can.

First Period

This period was actually dominated by the Penguins as Evgeni Malkin got the home team on the board first as he poked a rebound past Igor Shesterkin for a 1-0 lead.

But back came the Rangers as they got a late first period powerplay and Will Cuylle fired a wrister past Joel Blomqvist that he should have saved and we had a 1-1 tie going into the second period.

The Penguins outshot the Rangers 12-5 at the end of the first period.

Second Period

Again, another period absolutely dominated by the Penguins, but fans could just tell that since the Penguins could not score one goal on 18 second period shots, that they were going to give up a goal and be trailing.

And just that happened as JT Miller potted one super late in the second period and the Penguins trailed 2-1 heading into the final period despite leading in shots 30-9.

Third Period

This final period is where a lot of the scoring took place and the period where the game was actually decided. The Penguins got 2 goals in 2:34 from Ryan Shea to open the third period and give the Penguins a big 3-2 lead.

But the Penguins gave it right back 50 seconds later as Jimmy Vesey raced down the other way, used PO Joseph as a screen, and beat Blomqvist to tie the game at 3.

But again Penguins fans felt another soft goal given up was coming and they were right again as Adam Fox walked down the slot and scored for the Rangers late in the third period and the Penguins trailed 4-3.

The Penguins could not find the equalizer as JT Miller sealed it for the Rangers with a few seconds left on the empty net and that was all she wrote for this one.