The New York Rangers bench. Photo by: Stacy Podelski
It has been a long road trip for the New York Rangers (42-17-7) as the Blueshirts will embark on their third game in four days. There has also been a bit of a wake-up call for the team that currently sits first atop the NHL standings.
New York has now dropped two straight games, to teams looking to battle for a playoff spot (New Jersey and Ottawa) and will face another playoff caliber team in the Chicago Blackhawks (36-25-7) in NHL action tonight.
It should be an interesting test for the Rangers, as the Blackhawks are 22-7-4 at the United Center, the venue the two teams will be playing in tonight. Chicago has won eight of 10 games, while scoring 33 goals in those victories.
Looking to return to the cage for New York is Henrik Lundqvist, who had a night off against the Senators on Thursday. Lundqvist leads the NHL with eight shutouts, while also leading in goals-against average 1.84. The Swedish-keeper has a 4-0-2 with a 1.80 GAA in six career meetings in Chicago, has struggled in the last three games holding a 0-2-1 record with a 3.01 GAA.
Blueshirts Brad Richards continues his fine play on the ice, as the center has tallied 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in the last 15 games, with six assists in the last seven. Richards helped to set-up the lone goal by captain Ryan Callahan, in the loss to Ottawa, while also having great on-ice vision for many other potential helpers during the course of the game.
Callahan continues to lead the Rangers on both ends of the ice, as the winger finished the game with two shots and four hits. The captain has tallied 12 points (nine goals, three assists) in his last 12 games, with three goals in his last four games.
The Rangers continue to sacrifices bodies in order to win games and keeping their grip on the number one spot in the NHL, the team finished with 11 in the loss to Ottawa on Thursday.
The Blueshirts and Blackhawks game will air on the MSG Plus network with face-off set for 8:30 p.m.
Garden of Dreams Boomer and Carton Shootout: On March 21, WFAN personalities Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton will participate in the second annual ‘Garden of Dreams Boomer and Carton Shootout.’
The event will pit ‘Team Boomer” which will feature the top four fundraisers for the Garden of Dreams Foundation plus Boomer Esiason, in a shootout against Craig Carton, who will man the cage. This event will take place during the intermission at the New York Rangers ‘Skate to the Garden’ event at Madison Square Garden.
Fans are encouraged to click on the link below to find out more information on the Boomer and Carlton shootout:
http://donate.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org/
Written on March 9, 2012