Sports

Penguins top Rangers 5-2 in opener; Lundqvist injured

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Pittsburgh Penguins' Patric Hornqvist (72) works to get a shot off in front of New York Rangers goalie Antti Raanta (32) during the second period of a first-round NHL playoff hockey game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Patric Hornqvist, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Conor Sheary (43) during the first period of a first-round NHL playoff hockey game against the New York Rangers in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) kneels on the ice after getting a stick to the face during the first period of a first-round NHL playoff hockey game against the New York Rangers in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Lundqvist left the game after the first period. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

Patric Hornqvist had his first playoff hat trick and the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled away from the New York Rangers 5-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Wednesday night.

Hornqvist added an assist, Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists and backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff did just fine in his first postseason start, finishing with 35 saves. Tom Kuhnhackl also scored for Pittsburgh, which took advantage when New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist left with a facial injury after the first period.

Game 3 is Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Lundqvist played just 20 minutes after taking a stick to the face from teammate Marc Staal. Antti Raanta was shaky in Lundqvist's place, stopping 16 of 19 shots.

Derek Stepan scored twice for the Rangers but New York never led as its quest to knock the Penguins out of the playoffs for a third straight year got off to an underwhelming start.