Keith Yandle battles Sidney Crosby during Game 2.
AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images

When the puck drops for Game 4 at Consol Energy Center, the Rangers will look to win their second straight road game from the Penguins. If they can, they’ll be able to return to MSG for Game 5 Friday with a chance to close out the first round series.

It would be wise for them to show some killer instinct against the chippy Pens. Unable to beat Henrik Lundqvist without going to the dirty areas, Pittsburgh will continue to make life difficult on Lundqvist. Legally or illegally, they’ll take it as far as they can. He’ll continue to see Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz in his crease. Even if that means post whistle as Crosby reminded by elbowing Lundqvist, who embellished despite some of our fans’ complaints.

So far in the series, all six of the Pens’ goals have come from in front. That included Crosby’s two-goal performance in their lone win in Game 2. Patric Hornqvist was able to finally beat Lundqvist with 6:48 remaining in Game 3 making the final six minutes nerve racking. The Pens pushed hard but were unable to get the equalizer.

In order for the Rangers to come out victorious tonight, they’ll have to match the Pens’ intensity. Pittsburgh will be desperate. They don’t want to go down 3-1 with Game 5 at MSG. Even if they are aware that you can come back from that deficit as the Rangers proved against them last year, it’s still not an enviable position to be in. Expect them to do whatever it takes to even the series.

That’s why the Rangers must be ready for anything. They don’t want a drag it out long seven-game series in this round. Last year against a similar opponent, they made life harder on themselves by winning one game and losing the next against the Flyers. Eventually, they advanced with a 2-1 win in Game 7. That shouldn’t be the recipe. Despite their recent success closing out series, it’s not advisable.

Even without star defenseman Kris Letang, the Pens still boast two of the game’s best players in Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Though Malkin has looked out of sorts, he can awaken at any moment. The Rangers have held the lanky Russian without a point and four shots in the first three games. Crosby has been better posting two goals and an assist tying him with Chris Kunitz for the Pens’ team lead with three points.

Brandon Sutter has been effective with a goal and assist while doing a solid job on the forecheck and defensively. He’s overlooked along with pesky Max Lapierre, who plays a hard nosed game. You don’t have to like him but he’s effective. Blake Comeau remains a pain in the ass. For some reason, he’s the kind of player that gives our team fits. Ian Cole’s been a bright spot on the Pens’ D with two helpers while playing a strong two-way game. Paul Martin has been a workhorse.

By now, the Blueshirts know it won’t come easy against Marc-Andre Fleury. The much maligned Penguins netminder has followed up a good regular season in which he led the league with 10 shutouts with a strong performance. Thus far, he’s allowed seven goals on 90 shots posting a 2.36 goals-against-average and .922 save percentage.

By comparison, Lundqvist has permitted one less goal stopping 65 of 71 shots. Obviously, he’s got the better defense. Aided by stingy top pair Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi with Marc Staal on the second pair and Keith Yandle on the third pair, he hasn’t had as heavy a workload. However, the Pens have gotten traffic when they’ve had attack time. It hasn’t been consistent due to the Rangers’ puck possession.

Entering tonight, no Ranger has stood out offensively. At present, Rick Nash is tied with Girardi for the club lead with three points. The top finisher and point getter during the season has found little space in what’s become a tight checking series with refs letting go of obstruction. Nash has had good puck possession but is still searching for that breakout postseason performance. It would be nice if it happens later.

Yandle has provided a spark with two assists including a wonderful pass that caught the Pens in a change to set up Carl Hagelin’s breakaway goal. He also set up McDonagh’s game-winning power play goal in Game 1. The former Coyote has been a factor. He’s settled in and is playing well on both sides of the puck. Just ask Crosby after he was impeded by Yandle on one rush. So far, so good for Glen Sather’s big deadline acquisition.

Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello have been excellent. Brassard leads the team with two goals and has been solid in the faceoff dot going 36-and-27. Zuccarello has been his usual feisty self mixing it up with the Pens while coming hard on the back check. He also has two helpers and his speed has been a factor.

Derek Stepan has been fine. His big performance came in Game 2 with a goal and helper. Of course, you’d like it to be in a win. Defensively reliable with Alain Vigneault using him shorthanded with Nash when he’s not in the penalty box, Stepan is a heady two-way pivot that continues to grow. J.T. Miller didn’t see much time late in Game 3 with Vigneault opting for Jesper Fast instead. However, he’s been involved leading all Ranger forwards with 10 hits. Chris Kreider finally surfaced with his crucial game decider getting to Staal’s rebound. He be even better.

Maybe Kevin Hayes finally gets his first postseason goal or point. After an ineffective Game 2, he was much better. More noticeable, he generated chances on the forecheck and looked more like the player we saw in the second half. It was his line mate Hagelin who had a great game scoring and wreaking havoc with his game breaking speed.

The Rangers need more out of Martin St. Louis. He remains without a point with only three shots. He did have some opportunities in Game 3 but didn’t finish. Similar to the third period of Game 2 when he had a great chance to tie it. At some point, he needs to contribute. Especially if Vigneault’s going to continue to use him on the power play.

Speaking of which, if the power play was better it would be easier. The Rangers are 2-for-14. They only had two opportunities on Monday. The Pens are 2-for-7 with both their power play goals coming in Game 2. The Rangers have had twice as many due to their speed and the Pens lack of discipline. Until they make them pay, they’ll continue to take liberties.

The Rangers have gotten steady play from Dominic Moore, who has anchored an effective fourth line with Fast and fan favorite Tanner Glass. Say what you will but Glass has played well in this series. He’s picked his spots finishing checks and been solid. As usual, Moore has been effective when he’s had the chance to forecheck with his line mates. Fast hasn’t looked out of place with Vigneault trusting him in the final minutes to protect a lead.

There hasn’t been a need for deterrent James Sheppard, who still is a good insurance policy. Figure him to get in if the Rangers advance and face the Islanders in the second round. They have their own work to do with that series all tied with Game 5 in D.C. tomorrow.

Kevin Klein is getting closer to returning. As soon as he’s ready, Vigneault will insert him. It’ll be for Matt Hunwick, whose ice-time has been cut. In 18 shifts, he received 9:44. Despite Dan Boyle’s adventures in the D zone, he’s still someone the coach trusts. He played over 20 minutes and made a couple of good defensive plays late in Game 3. Boyle can still be an asset if he contributes offensively and figures it out on the man-advantage.

For a team that scored well most of the season, the Rangers have found it tougher. When they have had the puck in the Pens’ zone, they have generated plenty of chances. It’s about breaking through. They haven’t had an easy game yet. As Lundqvist reminded following Game 2, they’re facing a really good team. That said, it’s still a opponent that lacks their defensive acumen. It’s time to put them away.