The Pittsburgh Penguins made sure to not get caught up on a questionable hit that could have taken the game from them.

PITTSBURGH - It was a playoff like atmosphere in the first of three matches between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers coming in the same week.

While the Penguins took the first battle in overtime, it may not have needed the extra frame if NHL officiating knew what they were doing.

Evgeni Malkin and Vincent Trocheck exchanged a few hits back-and-forth, but the final blow from Trocheck took Malkin completely out of the play.

After a retaliation check from Malkin, Trocheck locked his eyes on Malkin and never diverted course.

Trocheck blindsides Malkin with a high hit and the Rangers capitalize while Malkin lays on the ice in clear pain.

The intensity rose between the two teams as the game progressed, but it was pretty clear the Penguins weren’t happy with no penalty from the hit.

“I thought it was a penalty, but obviously the referees didn’t,” Mike Sullivan said.

Sullivan noted how proud he was of the team to not get caught up in the emotions of the missed call.

Malkin was hurt on the play, but finished the game and factored in on the overtime winner.

“Obviously you want a call when something like that happens,” Tristan Jarry said. “You can’t get down or discouraged.”

Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby had a similar mindset and applauded Malkin for staying focused on the game and no more retaliations.

“We understand what’s at stake,” Crosby said. “Geno did a great job continuing to battle. He fought through it, didn’t get rattled.”

There was a playoff vibe to the contest, but also set the stage for what the next two games between these two teams might look like.

The Penguins and Rangers combined for 89 hits through the 61 minutes of play.

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