Today is my birthday. For a second straight year, the Rangers are playing on my birthday. Hopefully, it won’t be a repeat of last year. They got beat soundly by the Capitals 4-1. This time, they host the Penguins. A team they’ve played up to going 1-0-1 so far. They defeated the Pens 5-0 on 11/11 and fell 3-2 in a shootout on 11/15. Those were two of the their best games. We’ll see what they have in store for me tonight.

At 11-10-4, they aren’t where they want to be. Currently fourth in the Metro with 26 points over their first 25 games, they trail the Caps by two for third and are out of the playoffs. With Alain Vigneault critiquing the loss at Detroit by referring to two of their goals as “lazy effort” by forwards on the backcheck, it sounds like he’s had enough. As a team, the Rangers should be fed up with blowing leads. It’s why they are mediocre so far. Similar to last year, they are still trying to find themselves.

During yesterday’s practice, Chris Kreider was injured in a collision with Carl Hagelin. He is “day-to-day” and likely is out tonight. Of course, Tanner Glass would return on my birthday. If Kreider can’t go, J.T. Miller gets another game. What I can’t fathom is why he’s the odd man out. He’s one of the few forwards they have that brings a physical element. A much better skater than Glass, isn’t it about time they find out about him? He’s a former first round pick.

The other change is John Moore, who replaces Matt Hunwick. Hunwick was beat pretty badly on one of Detroit’s goals. So, he sits. Moore practiced on the power play which probably means he’ll be on the second unit. Hopefully, he can add something. With just three assists so far, that’s not up to expectation. On a one-year deal, he better figure it out soon or Glen Sather might not retain him next summer.

As usual, Anthony Duclair will sit out again. What good is it? Sure. He’s likely to be sent to World Junior Hockey camp and represent Canada. I just can’t believe the way he’s being handled. Does this club ever learn? Ignore that. I can’t figure out why Duke is not good enough to crack the lineup. This isn’t the Lightning who can afford to rotate Jonathan Drouin in and out.

Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis have done most of the scoring. You can include Derick Brassard too and Derek Stepan has been mostly a set up man. Until Kreider and Mats Zuccarello start playing consistently, this group will be hard pressed to put together a good stretch. It can’t always be the same guys.

Ditto for the blueline where Kevin Klein has been their best. At some point, Ryan McDonagh needs to assert himself. He is the captain and should be playing much better. If he’s healthy enough to play, there are no excuses. Marc Staal simply doesn’t contribute enough offensively. When he jumps in, he rarely gets his shot on net. See Saturday where he had a big miss. A couple of minutes later, Darren Helm scored the winner. You have to hit the net. I’m not going to criticize Dan Boyle because he has a couple of goals and is pinching effectively.

Henrik Lundqvist is back in. Hopefully, the sight of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will inspire him. He’s been far too inconsistent. Despite four shutouts, Lundqvist has been uneven much like the team. He’s too good for that to continue.

As for the Pens, they’re getting great play from Marc-Andre Fleury. Everyone’s favorite target has five shutouts and has played himself into the early Vezina conversation with front runner Pekka Rinne. For a goalie who gets killed, it’s easy to forget how consistent he’s been. He’s won 35-or-more in six seasons and recently won number 300. Don’t forget he has a Cup making an incredible last second save on Nick Lidstrom in Game 7 of 2009 for the Pens’ third championship. Maybe his critics should chew on that.

Kris Letang has been out with a groin injury. Patric Hornqvist is day-to-day with a concussion. The Pens also lost Pascal Dupuis for the season due to blood clots. How unfortunate. Dupuis has had a good career and will be missed. Chris Kunitz has a foot fracture and Beau Bennett a lower body injury. So, they’re banged up.

It hasn’t prevented them from being at the top of the division. Tied with the Islanders in points (38), the Pens remain the team to beat. They owe a large part of that to Fleury, who brings a 15-4-1 record in with a 2.07 GAA and .928 save percentage plus a league-leading five shutouts.

Keep an eye on Christian Ehrhoff and Olli Maatta. Each are capable offensively and should see power play time with Paul Martin. As usual, the Blueshirts want to avoid the penalty box. They were better against Detroit only taking two. They know what to expect.