Category Archives: Game Previews
Rangers set new lineup ahead of contest with red-hot Canadiens
Bobby Bevilacqua
Things got fiesty when the Rangers last played the Canadiens. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (3-1-0) will look to win their fourth home opener this season as they head into the Bell Centre to take on the undefeated Montreal Canadiens (4-0-0) when they play in front of their home fans for the first time this season.
Alain Vigneault and his team carry their perfect road record (2-0-0) and home opener record (3-0-0) into the loud, rowdy and hostile home of the Canadiens, one of the best teams in the NHL through the first few games.
Montreal is led by captain Max Pacioretty, who is tied for the league lead in goals (4) and second in points (6). Andrei Markov and PK Subban, both excellent defenseman, have each tallied four assists to start the season, and Tomas Plekanec has three goals in the Canadiens’ four games.
Ultimately, this game will come down to goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist versus last year’s Vezina trophy winner, Carey Price. Price is off to a magnificent start to the 2015-16 campaign, winning each of his three starts and posting a 1.67 GAA and a .945 save percentage. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to stay hot in home matchup against Winnipeg; Big test for Dylan McIlrath
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After an impressive performance against the Blue Jackets this past weekend, the Rangers (3-0-0) are back at MSG for a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets (2-1-0) as they look to continue their perfect start to the 2015-16 season.
Last season, the Rangers and Jets split the season series with one win apiece. The Jets came away with a 1-0 shootout win on November 1st, while Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec posted a shutout after 65 minutes. On March 31st, the Rangers came away with a 3-2 win at the MTS center thanks to goals from Mats Zuccarello, Derick Brassard and Chris Kreider.
The Jets have scored 11 goals this season, while the Rangers have scored 12 through three games, which sets the seen for an offensive showdown. Also, last time these two teams played, Dustin Byfuglien tried to take JT Miller’s head off with a crosscheck, so there may be some physical play or bad blood between these two teams. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers come home to MSG for second round with the Blue Jackets
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Hockey at the Garden is finally back.
The Rangers (2-0-0) are back under the lights at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season to finish off a home and home series with the Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0). The Rangers will play five of their next six games on home ice.
Under improbable circumstances, Alain Vigneault’s squad showed resiliency yet again, overcoming a 2-1 deficit by scoring three goals in 1:17 to secure a 4-2 road victory. Mats Zuccarello scored twice in the game, while Oscar Lindberg scored his second goals in as many games to begin his first full NHL season. Henrik Lundqvist was great again, stopping 31 of the 33 shots that he faced.
For tonight, Lundqvist is expected to start his third game in four nights. Vigneault wanted him to get off to a good start and get a nice workload early, so expect him between the pipes for the home opener. The Rangers also have a total of 17 back to backs this season, and there is plenty of opportunity for Raanta to start. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Look to Open Season with Back-To-Back Road Wins
Drew Williams
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The New York Rangers will faceoff Friday night against a revamped Columbus Blue Jackets team at Nationwide Arena, and will look to build on a 3-2 win over Chicago in their season opener.
This Metropolitan Division matchup will certainly be different from last year, as Columbus added a big name in the offseason in Brandon Saad, at the expense of forward Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Artem Anisimov, Corey Tropp, and a fourth-round pick in 2016. The addition of Saad makes for a potent top line for Columbus, as he will play with center Ryan Johansen and winger Nick Foligno.
The Rangers lines will stay the same in Columbus, according to SNY. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to start season strong on the road in Chicago
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back! Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The long wait is finally over, and New York Rangers hockey is back!
The New York Rangers will begin their 89th season in the NHL on the road against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, fellow Original Six franchise, the Chicago Blackhawks. This is now the eighth straight season that the Rangers begin the season away from Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers will have to watch as they raise yet another Championship banner into the rafters at the United Center, a reminder of what has eluded them over the past few seasons. Perhaps the Rangers could use this as a source of motivation and work towards having this ceremony at MSG next season.
Tonight’s matchup is a game between two of the elite teams from last season. The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a franchise record 113 points, while the Blackhawks won their third Stanley Cup since 2010. Read the rest of this entry
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