Category Archives: Game Previews
Rangers looking for better performance against Capitals; Talbot in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will be hoping for a better performance today when they take on the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden, trying to build off of a poor performance in Boston. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a poor showing yesterday afternoon, the Rangers (47-20-7) will be looking to sharpen and solidify their game when they take on the Washington Capitals (40-25-10) back at Madison Square Garden continuing their march towards a potential President’s trophy and home ice advantage.
Both teams are coming off of losses on Saturday as well. The Rangers gave up four straight goals in Henrik Lundqvist’s debut, playing very poor defensively before tightening up and scoring two goals in the final 25 minutes. The Capitals got off to a similar start, pulling starting goaltender Braden Holtby after three goals in the first period before rallying to a 4-3 defeat.
This is the third of four games between these two teams, with New York coming away with wins in the first two meetings. The Rangers edged a 4-2 victory at MSG on December 23rd, with Rick Nash scoring his first hat trick as a Ranger, and Lundqvist making 30 saves. Just 18 days ago, the Blue Shirts won 3-1 down in D.C., as the Rangers third line got things going, with goals from JT Miller and Carl Hagelin, while Martin St. Louis iced the game late. Cam Talbot picked up a win, finishing with 28 saves on 29 shots. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers set to take on struggling Bruins team with Henrik Lundqvist back in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will be looking to continue their march to the playoffs and towards the President’s trophy, but for the first time in nearly two months, they get to do that with Henrik Lundqvist back in net. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a nice rebound win against the hottest team in the NHL, the Ottawa Senators, on Thursday, the Rangers (47-19-7) will now take on arguably the coldest team in the NHL when they matchup against the Boston Bruins (36-25-13), a team that has lost their last six games.
This is the third and final matchup between these two teams this season, with the home team winning each of the first two games in this series. The Bruins shut out the Rangers 3-0 at TD Garden on January 15th, and the Rangers grinded out a 3-2 win at MSG. Cam Talbot was in net for both of those games, making 18 saves in the 3-2 win. Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Derek Stepan all scored in that game.
The Bruins are coming off of a devastating 3-2 overtime loss on Thursday against the Ducks, blowing a 2-1 lead with less than a minute to go. That gave them their sixth straight loss, and Boston is still fighting for their playoff lives. They are tied in the Senators with points, but Ottawa has one game in hand. Don’t count out Florida either, as they trail by just three points, and play the Bruins two more times this season. Needless to say, this is a crucial game for the Bruins. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on desperate Los Angeles Kings team; Fast looking to stay hot
Bobby Bevilacqua
JT Miller and the Rangers will look to continue their winning ways against the Kings at MSG tonight. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a 7-2 clobbering of the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers (46-18-7) conclude their brief two-game homestand in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals, taking on the Los Angeles Kings (35-23-14) for the second and final time this season.
Surprisingly, the Kings find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race, sitting two points behind the Calgary Flames for third in the Pacific Division, and four points behind the Jets for the final wild card spot. Despite going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, the Kings can’t afford lose many games. Including tonight, there are just 10 regular season games left for Los Angeles.
The Rangers got a bit of revenge when these two teams last met, coming away with a 4-3 victory at the Staples Center. Cam Talbot was in net, stopping 28 of the 31 shots that he faced. Dan Boyle had a power play goal and an assist, and Derick Brassard picked up two helpers. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers head back home to take on the league leading Anaheim Ducks
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Ducks, two of the league’s best teams, face off tonight at 7:30 PM at MSG. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following a very close game against Carolina, the Rangers (45-18-7) are back at Madison Square Garden where they will take on a well-rested Anaheim Ducks (46-20-7) for the last time this season, with both teams in the race for the President’s trophy.
The Rangers did not have a great effort last night, but managed to escape with two points in a shootout win over the Hurricanes, despite, getting outplayed for large portions of the game. But good teams find ways to win, and that is what New York has continued to do despite not playing at their best in the month of March.
“The last couple of weeks we haven’t played our best hockey, but we’ve still managed to win,” said Mats Zuccarello following his shootout winner last night. “That shows that we’re a good team. Hopefully we can come back to playing our style now.” The Blueshirts are 15-2-2 in their last 19, and their success has propelled them into first place in the Metropolitan division. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for season series sweep in Carolina; Talbot in net for New York
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Hurricanes will face off for the fifth and final time this season, and the Rangers are looking to sweep the season series. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following Wednesdays 1-0 home ice loss to the Blackhawks, the Rangers (44-18-7) are in Raleigh, North Carolina to take on the Hurricanes (26-35-9) for the fifth and final matchup of the season, and the first game of a back-to-back for New York.
While the Rangers have been streaking, fighting for the top spot in the NHL, the Hurricanes have struggled for most of the season, sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division and third to last in the Eastern Conference, and scoring the third fewest goals in the entire league.
With that in mind, Saturday is almost a must-win for the Rangers, presenting an opportunity to earn a huge two points in the standings, and keep them in a fighting chance in the President’s trophy race, and the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Read the rest of this entry
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