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Zuccarello’s heroics hand the Rangers their ninth consecutive victory
Bobby Bevilacqua
Don’t look now, but the Rangers are the best team in the NHL.
After Montreal’s quick start to the season and Dallas’ offensive explosion, it is the New York Rangers (14-2-2) that sit atop the league standings through 18 games after taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-9-4) by a score of 4-3 at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers extended their win streak to nine games, the third longest streak in franchise history and the longest since a 10 game win streak since the 1972-73 season. They also have recorded a point in 13 consecutive games (11-0-2), with 11 wins in their last 12 games (11-0-1).
The Rangers have also set a new franchise record for wins (14) and points (30) through the first 18 games of the season. Their record on home ice improves to 9-0-1, with an eight game win streak at the Garden. Over that span, they’ve outscored opponents 33-11 and have a 16.2 shooting percentage. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers return home to take on Maple Leafs; 8 game win streak on the line
Bobby Bevilacqua
UPDATE: Boyle will sit according to AV. McIlrath will play.After another grueling road win against the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers (13-2-2) return back to Madison Square Garden to take on the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs (5-8-4), looking to add on to their best start in franchise history.
After everyone talked about the Montreal Canadiens quick start to the season, the Rangers have taken the league by storm, possessing the best record in the NHL and a tie for the most amount of points (28) of any teams.
In addition, New York has won eight straight games, as well as recording a point in 12 consecutive games (10-0-2). They’ve won 10 of their last 11 games (10-0-1), and have matched a franchise best for points through the first 17 games, and set a new record for wins through the first 17 games to begin a season. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello nets first career hat trick in win over Maple Leafs
Alexandra Russo
Might as well call it a “Mats-trick.”
Led by the 5-foot-7 Norwegian, the Rangers battled hard and came away with a 2-1 win, their second straight victory and Toronto’s fifth straight loss.
In his return, after a six day break, Henrik Lundqvist improved his record to 5-2-2 last night as the Rangers gained two more points to keep them at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. They are now 7-2-2 (16 points) in their first eleven starts this season.
Alain Vigneault decided to reunite some trusted line combinations by switching centers Brassard and Stepan. Vigneault also mentioned that while Zuccarello has gotten off to his best start ever, he expects more from him. These small critiques were made in the hopes of better offense, although the Rangers haven’t seemed to have a problem with that as of late. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on Babcock and struggling Maple Leafs at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
It’s about darn time the Rangers played again.
Following a long four day break, the Rangers (6-2-2) will look to shake off any rust and grab a home win when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1-5-2) in the second game of a three game homestand.
After being the most active team in the NHL, New York had a rare four day break this week, while Vigneault kept his troops sharp with some conditioning drills and extended practices. A lot of the practices were geared towards improving certain aspects of the Rangers play.
This is the first of three games between these two Original Six teams, and the first of two contests in the next 17 days. The Rangers are 7-3-1 in their last 11 games against Toronto, but they did lost two of the three games against them last year. Expect a close game, because six of the last eight games between these teams have been decided by one goal. Read the rest of this entry



