After a 44 save performance by Alex Georgiev against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Rangers look to carry their momentum forward against the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 P.M. ET, MSG).
After Saturday night’s game, Leaf players and fans are going to be seeing Georgiev in their dreams. After making 55 saves at Madison Square Garden in February against the Leafs, Georgiev had an encore performance in Toronto making 44 saves. In each contest, Georgiev held the Leafs to just one goal and he was victorious in both meetings stopping a combined 99 of 101 shots.
After a scoreless 40 minutes, Pavel Buchnevich opened the scoring on Saturday just seconds into the third period leaving the Scotiabank Arena in silence.
“He wants to be great,” said head coach David Quinn. “He’s done a heck of a job over the last month. I just like his demeanor, I like his intentions. At this level, you need to do things that allow your skill set to influence the game, and I think he’s doing that.”
Zach Hyman would get the Leafs on the board in the middle of the third period, after a gorgeous no look pass by John Tavares. In overtime, Ryan Strome and Boo Nieves would combined on an odd man rush only to be robbed by Frederik Andersen. However, Nieves wouldn’t quit on the play as he found Strome just seconds later who tucked in the puck off Andersen for the Rangers 2nd overtime victory this season.
“I’m just really proud of our guys. To come up here in this building and get two points against this team … says an awful lot about our character,” said Quinn, who registered his first career win in Toronto.
Tonight, the Blueshirts look to continue their momentum against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins currently sit in third in the Metro, but just two points ahead of the Hurricanes who are in the first wild card spot. Sidney Crosby is having another outstanding season for the Penguins. The 31-year-old leads the Penguins in points with 93.
Matt Murray will get the start for the Penguins. The Blueshirts have never defeated Matt Murray as he holds a 5-0 career record. Murray is also 3-0 against the Rangers in the post season.
After a dominating performance in Toronto, Georgiev will get the nod against the Penguins. According to Dan Rosen of NHL.com, “Lundqvist went to coach David Quinn and said he thinks Georgiev deserves to start against the Penguins.”
Kris Letang will not be available for the Penguins in Monday night’s game. Letang is currently dealing with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Marc Staal is questionable for Monday’s game with a lower-body injury. Freddy Claesson will likely draw back into the lineup if Staal can’t play.
Chris Kreider will remain out of the lineup as he continues to nurse a lower-body injury. Brendan Lemieux will likely remain on the top line in Kreider’s absence.
“For me, I have to remember why I’m there and what kind of game I have to bring to their line, and that’s straight lines, heavy, physical, being at the net and winning battles for them,” Lemieux said.
Projected Lineup:
Lemieux-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Namestnikov-Chytil-Lettieri
Vesey-Andersson-Strome
Nieves-Howden-Smith
Staal-DeAngelo
Skjei-Shattenkirk
Gilmour-Pionk
Georgiev
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