Recap: Penguins 3 - Rangers 0

This was a big game for the Penguins. Against a divisional opponent they had to perform well and win if they wanted to keep their playoff hopes alive.

They did.

Whether the Penguins played a great game or the Rangers played a terrible one, or if it was a combination of both, didn't matter. The Penguins were dominant for the majority of the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury wasn't tested very often, but when he was he came up big.

Even though Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were held off the score sheet, the rest of the team stepped up with some timely goals. The fact that the Penguins could defeat the current Atlantic Division leaders without their two superstars scoring is a huge plus for the Pens.

The team defense was outstanding. They didn't let the Rangers create very many chances and they gave them even fewer second chances. Yesterday's game was exactly how the Pittsburgh Penguins will need to continue to play if they hope to find success this year.

The Penguins now need 22 wins in their 35 remaining games to have a good shot at making the playoffs.