Pens head into Game 3 hopeful of Fleury's return

Jeff Zatkoff has stood up to the challenges thrown at him so far and despite letting in 4 games in the last game he has performed well, not as bad some, including myself, thought he would be. However, you need your best players playing and with the nice three day gap between Games 2 and 3 this will help get injured players back. Malkin has already returned and the Penguins hope that next will be Fleury.

A lot of teams would be worried about splitting their opening two games of the series, especially when they're at both at home. But, considering the Penguins were playing their third string goaltender and missing other key players, they'd take it. I don't think they'll be worried either about playing in Madison Square Gardens considering their performance there in the regular season.

The Penguins relied a lot on the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins call ups in those two games and their depth has relied on them in the past month and a bit. So far, the bottom two lines have helped pen down and frustrate the Rangers, but the Rangers are out-hitting the Penguins so far.

The Penguins encountered a familiar Lundqvist in Game 2. One that was strong in the net and gave nothing up. The Penguins biggest struggle is against even strength, on the man advantage they are more able to crack Lundqvist, but you would expect that. To get back to beating him they need to get in his crease and his head. Perimeter play won't work.

The Penguins failed to control the play in the second game and that is the biggest reason why the Rangers were able to win and tie the series. The Rangers kept the puck and generated more chances than the Penguins by making smart plays to keep the puck in the zone and pressure the defence. Schultz was scratched in Game 2 and it is likely that, after a poor game, Maatta will be scratched in Game 3.

The Penguins can win this series and they can win in New York. They have nothing to worry about. If they control play like they did in the first game then their hockey will do the talking and they'll be able to control it. Repeat Game 2 and it will 2-1 Rangers and I wouldn't want to have to overturn a series deficit against the Rangers. You think Lundqvist is annoying now?