Penguins stage big rally to stun Rangers in opener

Pittsburgh Penguins (L-R) Jordan Staal (11),Tyler Kennedy (48) Ryan Malone, and Jarkko Ruutu celebrate the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers in the third period of Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 25, 2007. (REUTERS/David DeNoma)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins rallied from a three-goal deficit to edge the New York Rangers 5-4 on Evgeni Malkin's late strike in their Eastern Conference semi-final series opener on Friday.

Malkin deflected a Sidney Crosby shot into the net on a Penguins powerplay with 1:41 remaining to give the home team a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game Two in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The visiting Rangers eased to a 3-0 advantage before Pittsburgh scored four consecutive goals, taking the lead for the first time on Petr Sykora's tally five minutes into the third period.

New York's Scott Gomez made it 4-4 halfway through the final frame before Malkin put Pittsburgh ahead for good late on.

Trailing by three goals, Jarkko Ruutu and Pascal Dupuis scored 14 seconds apart in the second period to haul the Penguins back into the contest after the hosts had looked a off the pace following their first round series sweep of the Ottawa Senators.

Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa tied the score after 4.40 of the third period before Sykora added the go-ahead goal 20 seconds later.

Martin Straka, Chris Drury and Sean Avery also scored for the Rangers.

Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury made 20 saves for the victory while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 21 shots in defeat.

(Writing by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by John O'Brien)