Allgemeine Themen » Feb. 26, 2011.

PITTSBURGH -- The Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins have been stellar at home this season and unbeatable in shootouts for two years. The New York Rangers brushed all that aside and played well enough to head into the Olympic break on a winning note. Brad Richards and Mats Zuccarello scored in a shootout, and the Rangers beat Pittsburgh 4-3 on Friday night to hand the Penguins a rare loss in the tiebreaker. "We deserved this win with the way that we played the whole game," said New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped two of three shots he faced in the shootout. "I dont know if it was desperation, but we understood how important this game was. We have a long break here and you definitely want to end it the right way." Benoit Pouliot scored twice in regulation for the Rangers, who bounced back from a home loss to Edmonton the night before and won for the fifth time in six games. The Penguins had won all four of their previous shootouts this season and 14 of the past 15 overall. Their most recent loss was two years ago to the day against Montreal. "Its not something that happens very often with our group -- our shooters and (Marc-Andre Fleury) in net," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "But Henrik is almost as good, and was tonight." Zuccarello, the second New York shooter in the tiebreaker, tucked a backhand under the pads of Fleury -- who had not allowed a shootout goal all season. Evgeni Malkin beat Lundqvist to extend the game before Richards flipped a shot past Fleury to end it. Lundqvist made 26 saves, running his winning streak to five games. "We played a real solid game," Richards said. "We played hard. Theyre going to get goals sometimes, that stuff happens, but we gave ourselves a chance to win." James Neal tied it for Pittsburgh with 2:56 left in regulation. It was Neals 20th goal of the season and third in three games. Olli Maatta and Malkin also scored for the Penguins, who lead second-place New York by 16 points in the Metropolitan Division. The final game day before the Olympic break for both teams began on a somewhat sombre note when the Penguins announced that Kris Letang will be out at least six weeks because of a stroke. Letang, who has been put on blood thinners, also was found to have a small hole in his heart. "No one expects to hear something like that," said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who like the rest of his teammates was informed Friday morning about Letangs condition. "Its not something you typically hear about a guy who takes as good care as he does of himself. It was a surprise, but from what we heard, hes well taken care of and has got it under control." Without their top defenceman for the fifth straight game, Pittsburgh allowed 41 shots on goal and had a rare weak penalty-killing effort. The Penguins lost for only the second time in their last 18 home games, ending a five-game home winning streak against the Rangers that dated to 2012. "Not a good game for us," Malkin said. "We need to play better; we were lucky to take one point. The last 10 minutes we played, I think, better than the Rangers. But we need to play 60 minutes, and for 60 minutes we werent that great." Pouliot gave New York a third-period lead when he capped his first multigoal game in almost a year with 10:38 left. Pouliot wristed a rebound of Dan Girardis shot up under the crossbar from close range past Fleury for the Rangers second power-play goal of the game -- the first two goals Pittsburghs NHL-best penalty kill allowed at home in a span of 10 games (30 chances). Girardi also scored on the power play, in the opening minute of the second period. It took the Rangers 64 seconds to take a 1-0 lead. Zuccarello extended his point streak to six games when he earned an assist after Pouliot shoved a puck in that Fleury had pinned between his skate and the right post. Maatta answered 11 minutes later with the first of two goals on the night for Pittsburghs NHL-leading power play, slamming home a rebound of Crosbys shot into an open net for the rookies sixth of the season. Malkin added a power-play goal in the second period, a one-timed slap shot from outside the right circle off a feed from Neal. The goal, Malkins 18th of the season, extended his point streak to five games. That tied it 2-all at 8:29 of the second after Girardi had scored during the periods opening minute. "We definitely played better than we did (Thursday)," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "I thought we played with more energy and more focus and more purpose to our game. And we had to -- were playing against such a strong opponent that we had to bring our A game to the table. And I thought 5-on-5 we played a real solid game." The Rangers improved to 4-2 in shootouts this season. Pittsburgh had won 22 of 25 shootouts dating to Feb. 26, 2011. Fleury stopped Pouliot on the Rangers first attempt, extending the goalies streak to 12 unsuccessful shootout tries by opponents this season. NOTES: The Penguins fell to 14-1-1 this season when scoring a power-play goal at home. ... Pittsburgh has scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games for the first time since doing so in six straight from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7. ... The Rangers previous win in Pittsburgh was on Jan. 6, 2012. Cheap Nike Shoes Free Shipping Wholesale . Costa Rica followed up its wins over Uruguay and Italy by holding England to a dour 0-0 draw on Tuesday, enough to finish first in Group D. Cheap Authentic Nike Shoes Wholesale . With the Rangers already leading 2-0, Carey Price was taken down early in the second period of New Yorks 7-2 pounding of the Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday afternoon. http://www.cheapshoesnike.com/ .com) - Whew! North Dakota States reign as the three-time FCS national champion was pushed to the limit by South Dakota State on Saturday, but freshman R. Wholesale Air Max For Sale . On Monday night, many fans in this city placed the blame squarely on the captain for his role in the James Neal overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nike Shoes Clearance Sale .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Looking for their third consecutive win, the New York Giants are concerned about trying to stop Devin Hester when the Atlanta Falcons visit this weekend.Hester, a three-time Pro Bowler, has returned more punts and kicks for touchdowns than any other player in league history. He broke Deion Sanders record for return TDs with a 62-yard punt return against Tampa Bay on Sept. 18 for the 20th such score of his career.Hester has been nursing an ankle injury and was upgraded Friday to probable for Sundays game at MetLife Stadium.If Hester takes the field, the Giants have to be prepared for his ability to break the big one, much like the way Ted Ginn, Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals turned around their game with the Giants three weeks ago with a long punt return for a score.Hes been a tremendous weapon in this league for years and years, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said of Hester after Fridays practice session. He certainly attracts a lot of attention. A lot of our preparation goes towards him.Giants cornerback Zach Bowman played with Hester for six seasons in Chicago, so hes well aware of his abilities. Now, as the Giants gunner on punt returns, it will be Bowmans job to stop his good friend.Its always a challenge with Dev, Bowman said. Hes one of the most dangerous players and hes the best ever in the league now. With Dev, one of the things you dont want to do is give him an opportunity to get going. Ive seen him make so many unbelievable plays in my life. Heck, hes still doing them.Bowman had some advice for his teammates.One of the things I tell them is to not be hesitant, Bowman said. You have to play fast and think fast. You do what you have to do and then you can be able to stop him. But most definitely, hes a game changer and a showw stopper.ddddddddddddBowman said he was looking forward to going up against Hester after being teammates and friends for so long.I called him on the phone the other day and told him I was coming after him, Bowman said. I look forward to competing against him.Zach DeOssie is the Giants long snapper and usually the first one down to the receiver on punt returns. He has faced Hester before on five different occasions.Devin demands all the respect in the world and he deserves it, because hes the greatest of all time, DeOssie said. Ive played against him a few times and its definitely a challenge. I think Steve (Weatherford, the Giants punter) will do a good job with his directional punts and were going to give him a battle. I think every team now has a dangerous punt returner, but hes the one who started it all. Its always a nice challenge facing him.Giants special teams co-ordinator Tom Quinn was asked about defending Hester and whether its best to just not kick the ball to him.You try, but all 11 guys have to do their job, Quinn said. We have to punt it where we want to with the hang time and location and the distance. And we have to cover the distance and everyone has to be in the right spot. Hes still dynamic as a kick returner and a punt returner, so its a challenge.NOTES: The Giants are still listing LB Jon Beason (foot, toe) and WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (hamstring) as questionable for Sundays game. Coughlin said Beasons status will be a Sunday morning decision, and Beckhams status was unknown, although the rookie said that he expected to play. Hes practiced on a limited basis for three days now, Coughlin said of Beckham. If the medical people are on board and the young man wants to play, well put it all together and see what happens. 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