Category Archives: Game Previews
Rangers play 41st game against the Washington Capitals; Chris Kreider OUT
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (20-14-4) hit the halfway point of the season today and continue their three game home trip as they take on the Washington Capitals (30-7-3), currently holding a one point lead over the Dallas Stars for the President’s Trophy with one game in hand.
This is the third straight game where the Rangers will play one of the elite teams in this league, having been shut out by the streaking Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Florida, before bouncing back with a dominant 6-2 win over Dallas at MSG.
Now they must take on their division rivals, a team they’ve faced so many times before, a team that’s 11-1-1 in their last 13 games, and a team looking for their 31st win in the first half of the season win. Two consecutive wins over the Stars and Capitals could be a turning point of this season, so the Rangers must be at their best tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers face big test against Stars; Kreider doubtful, AV challenges Hank
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
This is the matchup that every Rangers fan was dreading.
With just five wins in the last 8 games (5-11-2), the Rangers (21-14-4) are back at Madison Square Garden to take on the Western Conference’s top team, the Dallas Stars (28-9-4). Dallas has lost their last two games, but still managed to secure 60 points in 41 games.
After being shut out by the hottest team in the NHL, the Florida Panthers, and closing out a three game road trip with just one win, the Rangers don’t just face one of the best teams in the league. They will take on the team that leads the NHL in goals scored by a wide margin. The Rangers have a tendency to play up to their opponents at times, so they better bring their “A” game tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers close out road trip against surging Panthers; Girardi playing injured?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After many ups and downs to the season during the 2015 portion of this season, the Rangers (21-13-4) will look to start 2016 out on the right foot when they take on the Florida Panthers (21-12-4), a youthful team with ambitions of a playoff berth.
This is the second of three matchups against the Cats this year, and the last one down in Sunrise, Florida. The Rangers skated away with a 5-4 victory on November 21st thanks to Rick Nash’s monster night. Nash scored his second career hat trick in the game, including the game winner, as well as registering 10 shots on goal. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves for the win.
The Panthers enjoyed one of the best months in franchise history, going 11-3-0 in the month of December, including winning their last seven games. A win tonight would set a new franchise record. Because of their success, and their place in the Atlantic Division, the BB&T Center has been packed as of late. With the Rangers in town, you can expect a packed and raucous arena tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Two struggling contenders face off as Rangers take on Lightning; Hayes a healthy scratch
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Last year, the Rangers and Lightning squared off for seven games, battling for the title of Eastern Conference Champion. Things could hardly be more different now.
The Rangers have dropped to third in the Metropolitan Division behind Washington and the Islanders, winning just four of their last 16 games. Last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are struggling to score goals, losing their fundamentals, and failing to play the same style that helped give them so much success over the last two seasons. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers return from break to take on the Predators; Klein and Girardi expected to play
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a long holiday break, given a chance to recuperate and take a mental break, the Rangers (20-12-4) head down to Music City to take on the Nashville Predators (17-12-6), the first game in a three game road trip.
This is the second and final matchup between these two teams this season, with the Rangers coming away with a 3-0 win back on November 23rd at MSG. The Rangers played badly, outshot 31-19, but goals from Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Kevin Hayes secured a win for the home team.
December has been the month that Alain Vigneault and the Rangers seem to figure things out. Two years ago they were playing .500 hockey until a little before Christmas time. Last season, the Rangers started an eight game win streak with an overtime win over the Penguins on December 8th. But this season? They have just a 3-6-2 record this month as of today. Read the rest of this entry
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