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Rangers vs. Penguins preview: The matchups

BY STEVE ZIPAY | steve.zipay@newsday.com

April 24, 2008

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The NHL would have preferred a Washington-Pittsburgh

Eastern Conference semifinal featuring poster boys Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. But the Flyers spoiled that in overtime in Game 7 in Washington. This one could be just as scintillating, though, with more star power, hot young goaltenders and an undercurrent of nastiness. Here’s some of what to watch for when the best-of-seven series between the Rangers and Penguins begins tomorrow in Pittsburgh.

THE CROSBY / MALKIN FACTOR

The conventional wisdom is that you bump and crowd Sid the Kid and deny him the time and space to work his magic. By finishing checks and with perhaps some irritation courtesy of Sean Avery, the Rangers will try to handcuff Crosby and his wingers ( Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis). Even assuming the Rangers can accomplish that, the Penguins are deep: Their 1A line of center Evgeni Malkin (47 goals, 59 assists), Ryan Malone and Petr Sykora has been lethal and stepped up when Crosby was injured. The Rangers’ speedy third line of center Chris Drury, Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan needs to produce. The Rangers have the edge in experience on offense with Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Gomez, Drury and Martin Straka and outshot the Penguins 260-180 in the eight games this season.

BEHIND THE BENCH

Michel Therrien versus Tom Renney.

How much Renney chooses to match lines will be intruiging. Will Dubinsky be used to hound Crosby on a line with Jagr and Straka? Will he double-shift Jagr to free him from Penguins shadows? How will he and his coaches adjust if the team falls behind in the series? Renney (4-1 this season, 10-9 in the playoffs in his career) will have to find the right balance between a defense-first system and a track meet. There were some calls for Therrien to be fired at midseason when the Penguins drifted. Therrien then juggled lines, called out some players and steered the troops, who were missing Crosby, to a 102-point season. He is, however, only 11-10 in the playoffs and in his only other journey to the second round Carolina beat his Canadiens in 2002.

THE BLUE LINES

Pittsburgh's Sergei Gonchar is the best offensive defenseman on either side and bruising Brooks Orpik, an unrestricted free agent, is going to get plenty of offers this summer. Big Hal Gill may focus on Jagr. Kris Letang is a highly regarded youngster. The Rangers' group was "not super, but OK" against the Devils, Renney said. They will have to remain disciplined and poised against the Pens. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Fedor Tyutin need to hit, limit turnovers and move the puck up ice rapidly. But this area may be the Achilles heel that the Penguins' quickness and puck-possession attack can exploit. Will Jason Strudwick or Marek Malik ever get some ice time?

STAYING OUT OF THE BOX

If the Rangers are whistled for a slew of penalties, the Penguins' potent power play could torch them. Malkin had 17 goals with the man advantage. The Rangers' power play revived against the Devils (4-for-17) and scored nine goals in the eight games against Pittsburgh. The Rangers' PK, led by Blair Betts, needs to return to form. There will be nastiness, though, featuring Penguins wingers Gary Roberts, who has called Avery "an idiot;" Jarkko Ruutu, like Avery, a chirper; and Georges Laraque, who is chippy and annoying. With Avery and Colton Orr, who didn't play in the first round against the Devils, as well as Callahan and Dubinsky, there should be fireworks.

BETWEEN THE PIPES

Marc-Andre Fleury versus Henrik Lundqvist.

For the Rangers to advance, Lundqvist, who posted a league-leading 10 shutouts and is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the third consecutive year, needs to steal a game or two. Backup Ty Conklin saved the Pens' season while Fleury, 23, was out with a high ankle sprain. But since late February, Fleury has played the best hockey of his career, posting a 14-3 mark, including the four-game, first-round sweep of Ottawa. Only twice did he surrender more than two goals in a game. The Rangers believe Fleury can be rattled, however, and have done a good job of limiting Penguins shots on Lundqvist (20 and 22 in the last two games in March).

INTANGIBLES

Which team will be rustier after a week off? ... How much of the Penguins' whipping of Ottawa can be attributed to the Senators' late-season collapse? ... How much will Ryan Hollweg and Fred Sjostrom play in this round? ... The Penguins have won 10 straight at home.

PREDICTION

The Penguins may be a team of destiny; the Rangers appear to be on a mission. If the Rangers can’t close the Penguins out in six games, it will be awfully tough to prevail in seven at Mellon Arena.

PENGUINS IN 7