Category Archives: Game Previews
Emerson Etem gets second chance as Rangers take on Flames at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following a tough shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Rangers (5-2-2) are back under the lights at Madison Square Garden, taking on the struggling Calgary Flames (2-5-0) and looking to get back to their winning ways.
Just like last week, after dropping an overtime game to the Devils, there’s no time to dwell on the loss, with New York playing yet another back-to-back series, their third already.
Calgary is beginning a three game road trip, following a dramatic overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings. The captain Mark Giordano scored two goals, including the overtime winner, and Calder Trophy finalist Johnny Gaudreu tallied two assists, giving him nine points (1-8-9) already. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers head to Philly to re-ignite rivalry with Flyers; AV calls out Dan Girardi
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (5-2-1) will look to extend their win streak to three games for the second time this season as they head into Philadelphia to take on the rival Flyers (3-2-1), the first of five contests between the long-time, heated rivals.
New York defeated the Coyotes in their last game, a 4-1 victory thanks to a superb performance from Henrik Lundqvist, as well as Rick Nash, Chris Kreider and Keith Yandle scoring their first goal of the season. They finally broke through for a power play goal, and the penalty kill was perfect.
The Flyers have won three of their last four games, and their special teams has been good. They’ve scored a power play goal in four of the last six games, and just one goal against from their last 17 times shorthanded.
The Flyers will start Steve Mason in net, their starter, despite his lackluster start to the season. Mason is 1-2-1 with a 3.88 GAA and a .878 save percentage, allowing 11 goals on 90 shots. Michal Neuvirth, one of Philadelphia’s offseason acquisitions, has been much more effective, but he’ll sit tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on Duclair and Coyotes at MSG; Stepan a game time decision
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to build off their 4-0 win this Monday as they take on the Coyotes. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (4-2-1) take on the surprisingly strong Arizona Coyotes (3-2-1) for the first time the Keith Yandle trade last year, setting the scene for a battle with some ties on either side. Yandle will face off against the only other team he’s known, a team he played with for eight years, while former Rangers draft pick and last year’s Lars Erik Sjoberg Award winner, Anthony Duclair suits up for Arizona.
The Coyotes have been competitive in all of the six games that they’ve played so far, winning their first three games before losing three straight, including Tuesday’s overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. However, they’re averaging three goals a game, and have taken down the Kings, the Penguins and the Ducks. Read the rest of this entry
Must win? Rangers take on soaring San Jose Sharks at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to get back on track against the sharks at MSG> Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After just six games into the season, it’s certainly too early to deem a game as “must win.” But with all of the concerns surrounding the team’s performances in their last three games, the Rangers would surely like a feel-good win.
The Rangers (3-2-1) will look to snap their three game losing streak against the San Jose Sharks (4-1-0), who are proving their doubters wrong after five games. Dan Girardi stated that the Rangers “need to stop the bleeding at three [losses],” and a rebound game is needed.
This game comes exactly one year since these two teams last faced off at Madison Square Garden, a game in which the Rangers came away with a 4-0 win. Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis scored four seconds apart, and Kevin Hayes scored the first goal of his NHL career. Henrik Lundqvist picked up his first shutout of the season.
The Sharks couldn’t meet expectations last season, failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and just the second time in 17 years. Since the end of last season, they hired a new coach, made some offseason moves, assigned a new captain, and are off to an excellent start to begin the season. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to end brief skid with new lineup against the Devils
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After two pretty disappointing efforts and the first two losses of the season, the Rangers (3-2-0) will look to end their goalless drought as they return home to take on the New Jersey Devils (0-3-1), who are searching for their first win.
The Rangers left Montreal empty-handed despite an excellent performance from Henrik Lundqvist, mainly due to their inability to sustain pressure as well as the play of the Montreal defenders and Carey Price.
While they’ll now be taking on a winless team in the Devils, the Rangers will still match up against a very good goaltender. Cory Schneider will be in between the pipes for the Devils, making just his third start of the season. Schneider made 34 saves in a shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks.
The Devils have had a lot of trouble scoring goals so far, finding the back of the net just six times in the first four games. Mike Cammalleri is their leading scorer with a goal and two assists, and three players are tied for second with two points, including former Ranger Lee Stempniak. Read the rest of this entry
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