Category Archives: Game Previews
Rangers aiming to clinch the President’s Trophy tonight in New Jersey
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Devils will face off for the last time this season, with New York aiming to sweep the season series, as well as clinch the President’s trophy. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After an amazing comeback win last night, the Rangers (51-21-7) are back at it again tonight, heading to New Jersey to take on the Devils (32-34-13) for the fourth and final time this season, with New York looking to sweep the season series and extend their four game win streak.
A win tonight would give the Rangers 111 points, which would be good enough to clinch both the Eastern Conference title as well as the President’s trophy, a huge advantage for a team looking to make another long run in the playoffs. New York is one win shy of tying their franchise record in wins (53), and three points shy of tying their franchise record in points (112). Both of those record were set in the 1993-94 season, the year that the Rangers won the Stanley Cup.
This is the last game between these two cross-river rivals this season, with the Rangers winning the previous three by a 13-5 margin. They played as recently as Saturday, when the Rangers dominated play en route to a 6-1 win. Henrik Lundqvist was phenomenal, finishing with 35 saves. The Rangers got goals from Rick Nash, Keith Yandle, Derick Brassard, Derek Stepan, and two goals from Dominic Moore. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers face tough Blue Jackets team at MSG; Brassard and Nash face former team
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Blue Jackets will face off for the final time this season, with New York aiming for their third straight win against Columbus this season. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (50-21-7) will finish out their two game homestand, and start back-to-back games tonight when they take on the hottest team in the NHL, and winners of nine straight games in the Columbus Blue Jackets (39-35-4).
Although they have been long eliminated from playoff contention, the Blue Jackets carry their franchise record nine game win streak into Madison Square Garden tonight, including a franchise record eight game road win streak. There was a lot of hope heading into this season for Columbus, but a ridiculous amount of injuries derailed their hopes from the start.
Nonetheless, what matters is right now, and Columbus is currently the hottest team in the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aiming for consistency against the Devils; JT Miller making a difference
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are looking to Salute the Crowd once again as they are set to take on the New Jersey Devils tonight at MSG. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After clinching the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday, the Rangers (49-21-7) will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the New Jersey Devils (32- 33-13) for the start of a two game homestand, with the season coming to an end very soon.
This is the second of four meetings between these two rivals, with New York wining in both games. They haven’t played since December, but will meet twice in the next four days. The Rangers won in overtime by a final score of 4-3 back on October 21st, and a 3-1 win on December 27th at Madison Square Garden. Derek Stepan scored all three goals in that game, with Martin St. Louis tallying two assists. Henrik Lundqvist allowed one goal on 20 shots to earn the win.
The Devils are coming off of 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens last night, bringing in a potential fatigue factor into tonight’s game against New York. Keith Kincaid started for New Jersey, stopping 31 out of 33 shots. That means that Cory Schneider will be making his 66th start of the season at the Garden. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to tame the red-hot Wild; St. Louis back in the lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are looking to build off of a big win in Winnipeg when they play the Minnesota Wild and Devan Dubnyk tonight at the Xcel Energy Center. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After snapping their brief two game in Winnipeg, the Rangers (48-21-7) are in Minnesota to close out their two game road trip against the Wild (44-25-7), a team that turned their season around with the acquisition of goaltender Devan Dubnyk before the trade deadline.
This is the second and final meeting between these two teams, with the first matchup being one of the most exciting games of the season. The Rangers overcame a 3-0 third period deficit, scoring five goals in the third period for an amazing comeback victory by a final score of 5-4. Kevin Klein, Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, Anthony Duclair, and Mats Zuccarello all scored, and Brassard added two assists.
Things have changed for the Wild since then, with new additions to their lineup, a new goalie, and a strong performance over the past three months, solidifying their position in the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers need to get back on track in Winnipeg with Lundqvist back in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers need to get back on track tonight when they take on the Winnipeg Jets, looking to snap a two game losing streak. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a rough weekend which saw the Rangers (47-21-7) drop two games in two days, the Blueshirts will be aiming for a rebound win when they take on the Winnipeg Jets (39-25-12) at the MTS Center up in Canada, a team that is desperate to cling onto their wild card spot.
The Rangers and the Jets will be meeting for the second and final time this season, with the first meeting coming way back on November 1st, a 1-0 shootout victory for Winnipeg in that game. Henrik Lundqvist picked up a shutout in that game, stopping all 25 shots that he faced.
The Jets have been playing very well, with a 6-2-0 record in their last eight games. They have been red hot at the MTS Center as well, posting a 12-3-2 record in their last 17 road games. Ondrej Pavelec is expected to start in goal for the Jets, and is aiming for his 20th win of the season. Pavelec had a six game win streak snapped on Sunday in a heartbreaking late loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Read the rest of this entry
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