Category Archives: Game Previews
Rangers look to rebound against the Wild; AV considers center shuffle again
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers return home to begin a 4 game home stand starting with tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
After a loss in which New York was overwhelmed by Montreal, Vigneault and the Rangers (4-4-0) will change things up in order to create more offense tonight against the Wild (4-2-0) in the first game of a four game home stand. Vigneault also may shift the wing positions for tonight’s home-ice match as well.
After struggling in Montreal, especially in the faceoff circle, rookie Kevin Hayes may wind up being a healthy scratch for tonight. Hayes was demoted to the fourth line towards the end of the game after beginning the night with Chris Kreider and Rick Nash. Read the rest of this entry
Duclair back into the lineup for Saturday’s game against Montreal
Bobby Bevilacqua
Anthony Duclair will get his first start since he last played against the Carolina Hurricanes, and will be playing in his hometown of Montreal.
Anthony Duclair grew up right outside of Montreal, and as a result, he was a Canadiens fan in his childhood. He idolized his favorite players like Saku Koivu, the captain of the Habs for 10 years. And now, Duclair will get his chance to play at the Bell Centre when the rangers face off against the Montreal Canadiens.
Duclair had three assists and a plus-four rating before he was a healthy scratch for the Rangers’ last two games. Vigneault said that it wasn’t because of his play, but because he wanted to adjust the lineup for the big-bodied Sharks as well as for the Devils game. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers head to New Jersey in a division rivalry matchup
Bobby Bevilacqua
Henrik Lundqvist will make his fifth consecutive start tonight ans the Rangers face off against the rival Devils.
After ending a four game home stand with two consecutive wins, including a shutout victory over the Sharks, the Rangers will head to the Prudential Center to take on bitter rivals, the New Jersey Devils.
After losing two straight games at home by a score of 6-3, the Rangers have won their last two games, allowing only one goal in the last 125 minutes they have played.
Henrik Lundqvist has also rebounded nicely. Lundqvist stopped 62 of the last 63 shots he faced in victories over Carolina and San Jose, as well as stopping all three shots against Carolina.
Henrik will be in net tonight, his fifth consecutive start. Read the rest of this entry
Duclair a healthy scratch; Hayes to center one of the top lines
Bobby Bevilacqua
Anthony Duclair will be a healthy scratch tonight as the Rangers will face off against the big-bodied San Jose Sharks.
When the Rangers get on the ice to take on the Sharks to finish off their four game homestand, Anthony Duclair will not be on the ice with them for the first time this season.
Duclair is a healthy scratch for the game, and Vigneault claimed that it is not because of his play. Duclair had 3 assists with a plus-four rating in the 5 games that he has played with New York.
Vigneault has named a few reasons for Duclair being scratched. Duclair has played five games in eight nights, something that is new for the rookie coming from junior hockey. Vigneault also said that when Duclair is playing, he wants him to be in the top-nine. And against the Sharks, Vigneault would like the size that Malone, Glass, and Hayes bring, especially after seeing John Scott’s hit on Islanders’ forward Mikhail Grabovski on Thursday. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers stick with same forward lines for tonight’s matchup against Carolina
Bobby Bevilacqua
After a game where the Rangers’ offense was clicking but defensive play let them down, the Rangers will keep the forward lines the same as they look to end a three game skid tonight against division foes the Carolina Hurricanes.
Matt Hunwick will be reinserted into the Rangers’ lineup for tonight’s game, paired with Marc Staal.
The only change will come on defense, where Matt Hunwick will replace Michael Kostka of defense. Kostka struggled in his first game of the season, with two costly turnovers that led to Islanders’ goals.
Hunwick put in solid minutes in his two games this season, and currently has no points and a -1 rating. Hunwick was skating with Marc Stall in practice.
The Hurricanes will also be looking for a win, after starting their season 0-2-1 (1 pt). However, Carolina is already dealing with a lot of injuries.
Jordan Staal is recovering from a broken bone in his right leg that he suffered in a preseason game. Brother and Captain Eric Staal is listed as day-today with an upper body injury. Jeff Skinner, who scored a career high 33 goals last season, is likely not to play with concussion issues. Defenseman Andrej Sekera is also out with an upper body injury, and is listed as day-to-day. Read the rest of this entry
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