PITTSBURGH AP - The New York Rangers stayed alive in the NHL playoffs with a 5-1 win at Pittsburgh on Friday, cutting the Penguins' series lead to 3-2 thanks chiefly to two goals from Derick Brassard.
Also on Friday, Minnesota won 4-2 at home against defending champions Chicago to square their second-round series at 2-2.
Pittsburgh fans had arrived preparing to celebrate a place in the last four of the playoffs, but New York put up a defiant performance.
The Rangers had not scored on a man-advantage power-play in their past 36 attempts but Chris Kreider ended that in the first period.
Ryan McDonagh added another power-play goal in the second while Kevin Klein also scored, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 31 shots for the visitors.
Evgeni Malkin had his third goal of the series for Pittsburgh but the hosts lacked the crispness that saw them win the previous two games in New York.
The Rangers were inspired by the late arrival of forward Martin St Louis, who had spent the night in Montreal following the death of his mother. He told teammates he wanted to play, and got on the ice for 16 minutes.
The line of Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot rediscovered the success they enjoyed against Pittsburgh in the regular season and the series opener, combining for two goals and five assists.
Chicago, blanked 4-0 in game three, have a habit of responding to playoff shutouts with big scores in the following game, but could not manage it this time, mustering only 20 shots for the game against Minnesota's stifling defence.
The teams will return to Chicago for game five on Sunday.
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