Rangers Hand Penguins First Shutout Loss of Season

In a close 1-0 battle, the Pittsburgh Penguins were shutout for the first time all year.

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered this annual Thanksgiving Eve matchup with a lineup being held together by duct tape and super glue.

Regardless of who was in the lineup, however, the Penguins were going to have a real test against the Metropolitan Division leading New York Rangers.

Key forwards like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell were among those injured forcing Alex Nylander back to the NHL for his season debut.

Rookie defender John Ludvig also returned to the linup after suffering a concussion in his NHL debut.

Drew O’Connor got the bump to the first line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel.

In an annual game like this, with a home crowd rowdy and ready for something big from their team, the first goal was going to be huge off the jump.

Despite some really good opportunities for the Penguins including an open net chance and a buzzing first line, the Rangers potted the opening tally.

Alexis Lafreniere’s goal marked the first time in 10 games the Penguins failed to score first.

The Penguins thought they got one back on the power play, but after a Rangers challenge the play was ruled offside.

A second power play opportunity came and went without much of a threat from the Penguins sending the game into the first intermission with the Rangers up 1-0.

Coming out and having a strong second period was going to be crucial for the Penguins in keeping pace.

The Rangers, however, were dominating that pace of play and keeping the Penguins from recording many shots.

For a good chunk of the period, the Rangers had about twice as many shots on goal.

A lack of urgency from the Penguins contributed to them failing to knot the game in the second period and entering the second intermission still behind by just one goal.

The Penguins got a good rush to kick off the final frame, but Jonathan Quick turned back the clock about a decade to make a huge save on Crosby.

On paper, the third period seemed to lean more in the Penguins favor; leading 10-2 in shots through the first big chunk gave them momentum.

Nothing was capitalized on as the Penguins let a fifth power play opportunity slip away.

Still trailing by a goal, Erik Karlsson took a tripping penalty to give the Rangers a huge chance with just over two minutes to play.

The Penguins killed the penalty and only had 45 seconds to work with to try and bang home just one goal.

Quick continued to stand tall, however, securing a shutout for 60th time in his career.

The Penguins managed to catch up in shots, but couldn't find the back of the net and were shutout for the first time this season.

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