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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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New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Players To Watch For
Nov 15, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) skates up ice with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Rick Nash

Rick Nash’s season has been derailed by injuries. He played in only 60 games because of injuries, and recorded career lows in goals and points with 15 and 36 respectively. He has only three goals in 24 games since the calendar flipped to 2016, tallying only 10 points overall.

Nash hasn’t scored a point since March 31st, when he scored a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes, but he enters the postseason looking healthy. If the Rangers are to challenge the Penguins, Nash giving them some production would go a long way.

The Rangers are hoping that Nash can provide a spark much like he did last season in the playoffs. Nash had by far the most productive postseason of his career in 2015, scoring five goals with nine assists and a plus/minus ratio of +8, as the team was succeeding with him on the ice. He was also creating a number of chances, leading the NHL with 69 shot attempts last postseason. He also led the NHL in shots in 2014 with 83, but scored only three goals.

Next: Top 5 New York Rangers Of All-Time

It will be a tall task for the Rangers to defeat the Penguins, as the Penguins are coming in like world beaters while the Rangers limp in a little bit. Nash giving them any production at all would be a big help, as the Rangers will need all the production they can get to keep up with the high scoring Penguins.

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