It seems like not too long ago a matchup in March between the Penguins and Rangers would have serious postseason implications that would turn the game into a real slobberknocker.
Unfortunately, the weight of this game only matters to one side: Pittsburgh.
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Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have done their part to make up for their slow start to the season that gave many the impression the Penguins were suffering from the proverbial championship hangover. But with a win Wednesday, the Penguins would pull ahead of the idle Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division, a title that's changed hands between the two teams and Philadelphia this season.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have had a season to forget. Mediocre results, combined with injuries to important players, have the NHL's Broadway residents sitting at the bottom of their division. The Blueshirts are the only team in the division with a sub-.500 record.
This is the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season (Pittsburgh leads 2-1).
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Rangers vs. Penguins
Time: 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 14
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
TV: NBCSN
Streaming: fuboTV (sign up for a 7-day free trial)