Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin, left, of Russia, chases the puck as Columbus Blue Jackets' Nick Shultz defends during the third period of Game 6 of a first-round NHL playoff hockey series Monday, April 28, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. The Penguins advance to the second round with their 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)
PITTSBURGH – The rested Pittsburgh Penguins say they're ready for an intense matchup with the New York Rangers when the Eastern Conference semifinals begin on Friday night.
The Penguins haven't played since Monday night, when they finished off upstart Columbus in six games.
The Rangers needed seven games to do the same to the Philadelphia Flyers and have less than 48 hours to get ready to face the Metropolitan Division champions.
Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby says the brief down time gave his team a chance to recharge but the Penguins remain wary of New York.
The two teams split four games during the regular season.
All four meetings came before the Olympic break. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma says the Rangers are much improved since the last time they faced Pittsburgh.
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