NHL Playoffs Penguins vs. Rangers Game 3: Full highlights, final score and more

The Pittsburgh Penguins emerged victorious over the New York Rangers in Game 3 by a score of 3-1. 

Game 3 between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins was a very close low-scoring affair that boiled down to Pittsburgh’s impressive center depth to take a 2-1 series lead.

Pittsburgh got two goals from centers. Sidney Crosby scored on a second-period power play while Matt Cullen took advantage of a defensive breakdown by the Rangers to score the game-winning goal. Kris Letang added an empty net goal. The Rangers were not able to create much offense with their lone goal coming on the penalty kill courtesy of Rick Nash.

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Penguins goaltender Matt Murray were both excellent in net. The game quickly turned into a goaltending showdown with Lundqvist allowing one more than his adversary Murray. Pittsburgh’s defense did a great job protecting Murray by clearing the puck quickly while the Rangers’ defense struggled to clear the puck at times. The Penguins were able to make plays while the Rangers were not.

Three stars

Cullen scored the game-winning goal after fighting through two New York defensemen to get on a breakaway. He has been a great addition to Pittsburgh. Cullen was also very solid on the penalty kill. The 39-year-old center is hard to root against. All he does is work hard and produce.

Crosby got the game going for Pittsburgh with a gorgeous deflection on a second-period power play off a shot from Phil Kessel. Kessel deserves credit too because he had six shots on goal and was the Pens’ most dynamic offensive weapon all game long.

Lundqvist made 27 saves on 29 shots on goal. Without him, the Pens would have had a blowout. New York needs to play better in front of him. It will be very embarrassing if the Rangers don’t win at least one Stanley Cup with one of the best goaltenders ever in net and Lundqvist isn’t getting any younger.

Highlights

"Shorthanded breakawayTop Corner#Nashty#StanleyCup #PITvsNYRhttps://t.co/rDGRzZyx7i— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 20, 2016"

Next Game

The Penguins and Rangers will go at it again in game 4 on Thursday starting at 7:00 PM EST.

For more coverage of the NHL Playoffs, make sure to check out our NHL hub page.