Rangers vs Penguins live stream: Watch online free 7:10 ET Friday in Pittsburgh for the third meeting of the season between these longtime rivals.

The 20-19-2 New York Rangers will travel to Pittsburgh for the third of four meetings this season vs the 29-12-1 Penguins. In the first showdown, the Rangers won 5-1. The Penguins responded with a 4-3 shutout victory on Dec. 18. Watch the free live stream online to see which team takes game three.

Pittsburgh is coming off a New Year's Eve 2-1 loss vs the Devils after winning two in a row, while the Rangers have won four of their last five games, including two in a row.

The Rangers completed a sweep of the Florida portion of their road trip with a 2-1 shootout win Tuesday against the Florida Panthers as they remain a part of this tough battle in the Metropolitan Division to get into the playoffs.

Watch the game free live stream online:

1) First Row Sports

2) NHL Gamecenter

3) NHL AOSO

"I think it's important that we're putting the right amount of pressure on ourselves to perform at our best level," goalie Henrik Lundqvist told the New York Daily News. "We're going to need it down the stretch. It's always fun to start the second half of the season, as long as you look at it the right way and see it as a big challenge to try to come back here and have a strong couple months and get us in."

It was announced Thursday forward Chris Conner has a hand injury that will require surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks. That means more opportunity for other role players like Joe Vitale, who has played all over the lineup, including on the top line, according to NHL.com.

"He's probably playing as well as I've ever seen him play right now," forward Craig Adams said of Vitale. "When he's going well he's using his speed really well. That's what he has to continue to do. If there's a chance to make a play, you make it. If he keeps his game going north-south and making simpler plays, more often than not he'll continue to be successful."