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New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Players To Watch For

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 13, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) faces off against New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) during the thirdperiod at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) faces off against New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) during the thirdperiod at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins will get their first round series underway tonight. Check out our slideshow for the five players to keep an eye on in the series.

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Players To Watch For
Mar 13, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) faces off against New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) during the thirdperiod at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins will be facing off in Round 1 of the NHL Playoffs and will get things started tonight. The puck will drop for Game 1 at 8 PM ET at the Penguins’ home stadium at Consol Energy Arena.

They faced off against each other four times in the regular season, with the Penguins winning three of the games. The Rangers were able to take the first game of the season in February, but were swept in three March meetings. The Penguins outscored the Rangers 11-9 on the season, with the last victory of the season coming in a shootout win.

While the Penguins owned the regular season, the Rangers have had their number in the postseason. The two teams will be renewing their rivalry in the postseason for the third consecutive season, as they have faced off in the previous two postseasons as well.

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The Rangers have had all of the success in those series, as they won in five games last season and seven in 2014, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to steal the series. Will the Rangers be able to replicate that success in this year’s postseason and make it three years in a row that they eliminate their division rivals?

If that is going to happen, the Rangers will need some players to step up in a big way. There are also some Penguins players that the Rangers will have to key in on and try to slow if they are to have any success.

Which players are key to this series? Check out our slideshow of five players to keep an eye on when the Rangers and Penguins face off in the first round of the NHL Playoffs starting tonight.

Next: Most Important Player Of Series

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