Tonight the New York Rangers (30-24-7) visit the Montreal Canadiens (32-19-9). Montreal recently suffered through a 1-4 stretch that included three straight defeats - one coming against Northeast Division rival Ottawa, one of the teams the Canadiens are tied with for first place in the conference - but have followed up the losing streak with three consecutive victories. Carey Price, the fifth overall draft pick by Montreal in 2005, is 3-1-0 with a 2.03 goals-against average in five games since returning from the minors Feb. 4 and he'll likely get his first look at the Rangers tonight. Montreal will be facing a New York team that earned a pair of much-needed home wins over the weekend. The Rangers went into a five-day break last week in a 1-2-1 slump but seemed rejuvenated by the extra rest, defeating Buffalo on Saturday and San Jose on Sunday. Although their playoff hopes looked precarious last week after dropping to ninth in the conference, the Rangers now find themselves six points out of first place in the Atlantic Division and in sixth place in the East, having earned points in four straight games (3-0-1). The Rangers have won the first three meetings this season and will be going for their first season sweep of the Canadiens since 2001-02. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.
...I'm really loving this team right now. The only two negatives are Jagr's lack of scoring and the continued struggles of the power play. If they can get those two things straightened out we should cruise into the playoffs.
...I'm assuming Lundqvist is back in goal with three day off after this game. He played real solid this weekend and we might need him to steal this one tonight against a Montreal team that does not want to be swept by the Rangers this year.
...according to Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report, Renney will decide this moring if Staal is healthy enough to play tonight. If he plays it should be interesting to see who Renney sits between Malik, Mara and Strudwick. My pick is Strudwick.
...a win today combined with an Ottawa loss puts us within four points of first place in the CONFERENCE. Wow!!!
...I'll have more later.
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