Rangers Shine in Special Teams Clash Against Penguins
PITTSBURGH — The Rangers put on a special teams showcase Saturday night, marking Mike Sullivan’s return to Pittsburgh.
In a commanding 6-1 victory over the Penguins, Adam Fox stood out with a three-point effort, securing the new head coach’s first win against his former team after the Penguins were shut out just four days earlier at Madison Square Garden.
The power play converted two goals on four chances.
Additionally, the Rangers scored a short-handed goal and successfully killed off all four of Pittsburgh’s power plays.
Fox was a key player, contributing significantly to the game and adding $2,569 to the Tackle ALS Fund.
Things picked up in the second period after Pittsburgh’s Ben Kindel, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, netted his first NHL goal, leveling the score at 1-1.
However, it took a toll when Kindel crashed awkwardly into the boards while trying to make a hit, losing defenseman Carson Soucy and being ruled out for the rest of the game with an upper body injury.
Fox kicked off the Rangers’ scoring spree in the second period.
After a solid play from the fourth line, Adam Edstrom found Fox, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead early on.
The Penguins struggled with penalties throughout the frame, allowing the Rangers to capitalize on two power play opportunities.
Connor Sheary’s shot deflected off Will Quill’s skate for one of the goals, while Fox capitalized from the point for the other.
Having failed to score on power plays in their previous matchup against the Penguins, this time the Rangers were much more effective.
The offensive surge continued into the third period, with Edstrom and Taylor Radish adding goals to seal the game.
Initially, the Penguins took control of puck possession and pace for the first few minutes, looking strong.
Still, the Rangers weathered the early pressure, managing to score first despite being down a player when Juuso Parsinen headed to the box.
Fox made a clever backhand pass to Sam Carrick, who broke on a two-on-one with Mika Zibanejad, finishing with a goal for the 1-0 lead.
This goal marked Zibanejad’s first of the season, his 251st with the Rangers, putting him ahead of Mark Messier in franchise history.
