This is one of those must win games tonight. We figure 94 points gets the Rangers into the playoffs this year (9 wins in 15 games). They have to start the home stretch off on the right foot, especially with a home-and-home with Philly coming up next.
The Preds are 6-1-1 in their last 8, which includes a very convincing win over Detroit (8-0). It’s been over two years since these two teams last played (thank you Mr. Bettman and your horrific scheduling). Considering the turnover of the rosters by both teams in the past two years, it’s safe to say that previous records against each other don’t really matter.
The Preds leading scorer is J.P. Dumont, who has 12 goals and 39 assists, but Steve Sullivan is healthy and tearing it up lately, with 9 points in 5 games before hitting a recent 2 game skid. This will be a battle tonight, but if the Rangers combine their effort in Carolina with throwing more pucks at the net with bodies screening Pekka Rinne, they should come out on top.
As for our Blueshirts, they will roll the lines posted by Jane McManus yesterday. Hank will be in net today, despite his mysterious illness. He hasn’t been able to hold down food for more than 10 days, and had to have IV drips in between periods of Sunday’s Boston game. I’m scouring the internet for updates on this mysterious stomach ailment. My “speculation” (if you can even call it that) that these symptoms sound like mono was just my take based on the symptons I exhibited when I had mono (hope that clears up some confusion). “If” is a very small word with a very big meaning.
The King is one win away from being the first goaltender in NHL history to win 30 games in his first 4 NHL seasons. That is some impressive feat.
This is an 8pm start tonight on MSG.
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