St. Louis' early goal helps Rangers avoid elimination again, force Game 7 vs. Penguins

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), of Sweden, makes a save during the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL playoff hockey series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday, May 11, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) celebrates his goal with teammates Kevin Klein (8), John Moore (17), Brad Richards (19), and Mats Zuccarello during the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL playoff hockey series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday, May 11, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

Martin St. Louis and Carl Hagelin scored 2:51 apart in the first period, and Henrik Lundqvist made 36 saves and the New York Rangers avoided elimination again with a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night.

The matchup between the Metropolitan Division rivals will be decided in Game 7 at Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. The Penguins, who led the series 3-1, failed in their first attempt to advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-1 home loss on Friday.

Derick Brassard pushed the Rangers' lead to 3-1 in the second period. Brandon Sutter scored the lone goal for the Penguins, who got 26 saves from Marc-Andre Fleury.

This was a far cry from New York's disheartening 4-2 home loss in Game 4.