Penguins could benefit after divisional rival loses two star players

The bad news for the New York Rangers could turn into good news for the surging Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won five straight games after their 5-4 OT win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The Rangers have put defenseman Adam Fox on LTIR, and put goaltender Igor Shesterkin on IR, meaning that one of the top divisional foes of the Penguins is now considerably weaker for the time being.

In their places, the Rangers, who are now coached by ex-Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, have called up goaltender Spencer Martin and defenseman Scott Morrow from their American Hockey League affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.

The Penguins aren't in the business of hoping for injuries on their competition, but it doesn't mean that they're not sorry to see it and won't hope to take full advantage of the opportunity.

The Penguins, following a particularly rough December in which they set a new franchise record for the worst home stand thanks to six straight losses, have now won five games in a row.

Coming into the year having missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, they were not projected by many fans and analysts to have a realistic shot at ending that drought.

Multiple players were heavily involved in trade rumours during the summer, including Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson. Even Sidney Crosby, who scored the OT GWG against the Blue Jackets on Sunday, has been involved in rumours.

But their recent hot streak combined with the injury news of the Rangers could present even more runway for Pittsburgh to continue surging ahead.

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