PIT vs NYR

A New York Rangers season that began with Stanley Cup hopes ended Sunday at least two rounds earlier than expected.

A Pittsburgh Penguins season that has been a wonder from its beginning marches on toward a the Eastern Conference finals.

The young, dazzlingly talented Penguins eliminated living legends Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan and the Rangers Sunday afternoon when Marian Hossa - the Pens' key trading-deadline acquisition - whisked a shot between Henrik Lundqvist's pads 7:10 into overtime.

"It's just empty," Lundqvist said. "Your head is just empty. You've been working so hard all year, starting in May of last year, to prepare for this year. And then everything is over."

For the Penguins, the fun may just be beginning.

Having obliterated Ottawa in a first-round sweep, the Penguins proved they had some mettle by refusing to collapse after the Rangers scored twice within 1:22 early in the third period to erase a 2-0 deficit.

With a return to Madison Square Garden for Game 6 tomorrow night and the prospect of blowing a 3-0 series lead growing more realistic by the minute, the Penguins settled down and pulled out the victory.

"If anything, it's just a relief," said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who began the rush that ended with Hossa's goal. "We worked so hard and deserved to win. You don't want to let a team hang around, because that's when it gets dangerous."

For the Rangers, a delicate summer awaits.

Jaromir Jagr, who played brilliantly down the stretch and throughout the playoffs - he leads the post-season with 15 points - must decide whether he wants to return to the Rangers and GM Glen Sather must resolve whether he wants to resign the 36-year-old winger.

Brendan Shanahan, 39, has to decide whether he wants to play again after wearing down late in the season.

"I don't think I'm going to retire from hockey," Jagr said. "I know I'm going to play somewhere. I don't know where.

"It would probably be a tough situation if I didn't know I was going to play any more. But I still feel like I got many years left if I decide to work at it."