(Sports Network) - The second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins will try to grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals today, as they host the division rival New York Rangers in Game 2 at Mellon Arena.

The Penguins, champions of the Atlantic Division, claimed a thrilling comeback victory on their home ice in Friday's Game 1 matchup at the Igloo.

Evgeni Malkin's power-play goal with 1:41 left in the third period was the game-winner as Pittsburgh rallied from a three-goal deficit to post a 5-4 victory over the fifth-seeded Rangers.

New York's Martin Straka was whistled for interference with 3:20 to play in the contest, and the Penguins capitalized for the difference maker.

Ryan Whitney, stationed at the left point, dished across to Sidney Crosby for a one-timer at the bottom of the right circle. The puck ticked off Malkin's shin as he battled with a Rangers defenseman in front, changing course and sailing past Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist was pulled for an extra attacker with just under a minute to play, and the Rangers attacked aggressively. Jaromir Jagr's offering with 12 seconds remaining skittered off the left post, and the Penguins held on as the clock wound down for the victory.

Jarkko Ruutu, Pascal Dupuis, Marian Hossa and Petr Sykora also tallied for the Penguins. Crosby added a pair of assists as did Ryan Malone. Marc-Andre Fleury earned his fifth win of the playoffs despite making just 20-of-24 saves.

Pittsburgh played its third straight game without left wing Gary Roberts, who is recovering from a groin injury and is questionable for today's contest. The 41-year-old Roberts had two goals in two games against Ottawa and has 91 points (32 goals, 59 assists) in 121 career playoff games.

The Penguins are undefeated in five games during this year's playoffs after sweeping Ottawa in the opening round.

Straka, Chris Drury, Sean Avery and Scott Gomez scored for the Rangers, who dropped their first road game of the postseason.

Lundqvist took the loss by allowing five goals on 26 shots. Michal Rozsival notched three assists, while both Marc Staal and Jagr picked up two helpers each in defeat.

While the Pens swept the Senators, New York also had an easy first-round series as it eliminated New Jersey, another division rival, in five games. The Rangers are in the conference semifinals for the second straight year, as they defeated Atlanta in the opening round a year ago before falling to Buffalo.

The Blueshirts haven't made it past the second round since losing to Philadelphia in the 1997 conference finals.

Pittsburgh is 3-0 all-time against the Rangers in the postseason, with the Pens' last victory coming in five games during the 1996 conference semifinals.

New York went 5-3 against the Penguins this year and the Blueshirts allowed Pittsburgh to score more than three goals against them just once during the regular season.

Pittsburgh had a solid 26-10-5 record as the hosts this season, while the Rangers were just 17-14-10 as the road club.

The series will shift to Manhattan for Games 3 and 4. The third test is scheduled for Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.