Mika Zibanejad’s hat-trick helps Rangers force Game 7 against Penguins
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The New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6, 5-3, forcing a Game 7 in the first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Mika Zibanejad’s hat-trick helped lead the Rangers to a victory in Game 6. His third goal of the night, 18:32 into the third period, was the game-winner.
The Rangers, trying to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the conference semifinals, fittingly had to come from behind to win Game 6 on Friday.
Pittsburgh struck first off a goal by Jeff Carter 14:12 into the first period. The Penguins would strike again less than two minutes later when Bryan Rust lit the lamp, giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 advantage after one period.
Zibanejad scored back-to-back goals 76 seconds apart to tie the game at 2-2 early in the second period.
Past the midway point of the period, Kreider’s first goal of the night gave New York its first lead, 3-2, but Evgeni Malkin tied the game again late in the period.
The score remained tied 3-3 throughout most of the third period before Kreider broke the tie for good, scoring with 1:28 left. A minute later, Andrew Copp would add an empty-net goal, sealing the win while keeping the Rangers’ season alive for at least one more game.
Rangers’ goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves off 34 shots and turned away all five shots he saw against the Penguins’ powerplay.
The Rangers will host the Penguins for Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, time still to be determined.
