Rangers vs. Penguins: How Important Is Thursday's Matchup For Both Teams?

The Pittsburgh Penguins began their active nine-game winning streak on Feb. 21 with a 2-0 triumph over the New York Rangers. The return of Sidney Crosby for Thursday night’s bout at Madison Square Garden, combined with the potential absences of Henrik Lundqvist, Michael Del Zotto and Ryan Callahan, ostensibly favors the streak’s continuation.

With all that being said, there is much for the Blueshirts to gain in their third and final home edition of the Pittsburgh season series. Regardless of who is available for them, cutting off the Penguins’ streak would make for a timely statement in the fast-heating homestretch.

With this being the third installment of a seven-game homestand that will next feature Colorado, followed by New Jersey, Detroit and Buffalo, John Tortorella’s pupils cannot miss this opportunity to seize a second wind.

New York holds a six-point edge for first place in the Atlantic Division, which is all but guaranteed to assure home ice for the balance of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although Pittsburgh has a game in hand, there will only be 13 more opportunities to whittle down the gap after Thursday.

Should the Rangers augment their lead to eight points, the Penguins will have virtually no say in their bid for the top seed. And it will be especially heartening for Blueshirt buffs if their team pulls it off while relying on backup goaltender Martin Biron, who improved his record to 12-4-2 Tuesday night while filling in for the flu-riddled Lundqvist.

Conversely, a regulation win for Pittsburgh will reduce the deficit to four points and add to the already overwhelming traction for Crosby and his radiant mates. Even if he makes no tangible contribution, the captain will surely be bolstered by the knowledge that his team is 1-1-0 when he is available against the division leaders. (He previously suited up and pitched in two assists in a 4-3 loss in New York Nov. 29.)

Granted, depending on whether Lundqvist and/or the reliable blueliner Del Zotto are in action, there will be no major cause to fret if the Rangers slip up.

Even so, the state of the opposition ought to make no difference to the Penguins, who are looking to stay hot through the transition into the postseason. And if they must go without Del Zotto, the Rangers ought to take Thursday’s contest as a test of their defensive depth.

It will also be a test of their assertiveness at home, where they are currently 24-7-2 for the best record in the conference.

Surprise, surprise, Pittsburgh immediately trails New York in that category with a 24-8-2 log at the Consol Energy Center. Kind of underscores the importance of first place in the playoff bracket, does it not?

But with a win Thursday, the Pens will not only keep up the contest for the top spot. They will have secured a 2-1-0 regular-season record on the Rangers’ pond, rendering them responsible for two of New York’s 10 shortcomings at Madison Square Garden.

In turn, while their regal position will hardly be lost after Thursday, the Rangers need to hold forth in this tilt if they want home-ice advantage to maintain its meaning in the likely event of a second- or third-round encounter with Pittsburgh.

And any rooter can bet their season tickets that Thursday night’s loser―and possibly the winner as well―will amplify the importance of this matchup’s sixth edition April 5 in Pittsburgh.