Game 16; It’s time for a another playoff rematch!
Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)
New York Rangers (8-6-1) @ Ottawa Senators (9-6-2)
These teams played 7 tough playoff games last spring against each other including the terrific “Game 7” at the Madison Square Garden. The Rangers advanced to the 2nd round while the Senators booked their vacations after that game. But enought with the past, both teams have some significant injuries to struggle with in tonight’s game. Can the Rangers end the Senators streak and get some valuable points to the standings? The Senators are definitely looking for a revenge – another tought night ahead!
OTT:
After a good start to the season, the Senators have been hit hard. First they lost Jason Spezza (back injury) and most recently they lost Erik Karlsson (achilles). Both players are probably out for a season. After falling 3-0 to Maple Leafs, the Senators are currently on the two game winning streak (NJD, NYI). Coach McLean has a lot of things to solve out after a significant losses. While Craig Anderson has been as good as last year – they desperately need more offense. Young Swedish Jakob Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad have a great chance to prove what they can do.
NYR:
The Rangers had a big test in the game against Canadiens as they played without Rick Nash who was out with an undisclosed injury. Team announced that Nash won’t make a trip to Ottawa but may join the team in Montreal. Anton Stralman got his first goal of the season but that wasn’t enough. Max Pacioretty’s goal tied the game and Alex Galchenyuk’s was able to get a game winner. The Rangers gambled – but they didn’t get pay off. Raphael Diaz scored the empty-netter and the Canadiens increased their winning streak to five games.
Coach Tortorella admit that the Rangers could’t keep up the pace in the last game. He called it “one of the worst hockey games I’ve been involved in”.
Expecting to see Lundqvist getting the start against the Senators while Biron could get his 3rd start against the Habs. With Powe and Nash out, Kreider and Mashinter will be in the line-up.
Key players and stats:
With Spezza and Karlsson out, the Senators needs offensive help from guys like Daniel Alfredsson and Kyle Turris. They both have 4 goals in the season. Craig Anderson has been terrific in the net for the Senators (SV% .950). Carl Hagelin now has points in five consecutive games (career-high). The Rangers power(less) play is now 6-for-55 (10,6%). This is the first of three meetings this season. The Rangers will host the Senators on Mar. 8 and they’ll back in Ottawa on Mar. 28.
Let’s Go Rangers!
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Game 9; The Rangers presents some new faces at the Rock
New York Rangers (4-4-0) @ New Jersey Devils (4-1-3)
255 days ago Adam Henrique’s OT goal ended the Rangers long playoff run. Now this heated rivalry starts all over again in the Prudential Center. These teams don’t hesitate to hit hard or drop the gloves – they’re ready to the battle again! Years go by but some things never change. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist will face each others again and usually we’ve seen legendary battles between those two. Tight your seat belts – Hudson River rivalry continues tonight!
NJD:
Zach Parise is gone and they had some trouble bringing Ilya Kovalchuk back from KHL. But all in all the Devils have had a satisfying start for the season. With going 4-1-3 the Devils are currently at the 5th place in the Eastern and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. On Sunday night the Devils beat the Islanders 3-0. David Clarkson has five goals and four assists in eight games while Kovalchuk has two goals and three assists.
NYR:
The Rangers did get their first road win of the season in Tampa but they also changed their line-up after it. They send Mike Rupp to Minnesota for Darrel Powe and Nick Palmieri. Powe will join the Rangers while Palmieri will join the Connecticut Whale. Personally I wanna thank Mike Rupp for his time in the Rangers – never going to forget that “Jagr-salute” ! Powe had 91 blocked shots a year ago and he’s strong on the penalty kill. Palmieri is only 23 years old and he has 25 points in 87 NHL games. Powe is expected to be in the line-up against the Devils.
That wasn’t enough for the Rangers. They also called up JT Miller and Brandon Mashinter from the Connecticut Whale while Benn Ferriero was sent down. Mashinter has played 13 NHL games while Miller is expected to make his NHL debut against the Devils.
Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan scored their first goals of the season in 3-2 victory over the Lightning. With Taylor Pyatt, that line really got their game together. They moved the puck well, battled hard in the corners and eventually they scored two goals. No words about Nash’s goal – absolute thing of beauty. Martin Biron had a solid game with 30 saves.
Key players and stats:
Kovalchuk vs. Nash, Lundqvist vs. Brodeur or Elias vs. Richards – you name it. This rivalry is all about great match-ups. If history repeats itself, there will be more than one or two scrums. Darrol Powe, JT Miller and Brandon Mashinter will play their first games as a New York Rangers. This is the first of four meetings this season. Second meeting will be at the Prudential Center on Mar. 19. The Devils won’t be at the Garden until Apr. 21 and in the regular-season finale Apr. 27.
Let’s Go Rangers!
Follow me on Twitter; @VilleLampinen
True Blue I Am a Ranger 