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GAMEDAY: Penguins and Rangers Meet For A Tilt On NBCSN |
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Pittsburgh Penguins (11-4-0) at New York Rangers (6-8-0) 7:30 PM at Madison Square Garden
The New York Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight in their first matchup of the 2013-2014 season. Tonight's game will be the latest installment in NBCSN's NHL Rivals.
The Rangers are currently 6-8-0 and their season can be evaluated as a story of two halves. In the Rangers first 7 games of the season they allowed 29 goals which averaged out to 4.14 goals against per game. In their last 7 games the Rangers have been way more responsible and have only allowed 11 goals, which is only 1.57 goals against per game.
Perhaps there was a learning curve for the players with new head coach Allain Vigneault because the Rangers have been much better as of late.
The Rangers have recently been given a great boost to their lineup. Captain Ryan Callahan returned to the lineup against the Ducks after missing 10 games. Callahan is a huge addition for the Rangers as he is a player that all 30 general managers would find a space for on their teams.
Callahan had an assist in his return and he actually has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 3 games he has played.
Callahan is one of the best players in the NHL that leads by example and because of that he will get serious consideration to be one of the players in Sochi who has a letter for Team USA.
Since the Penguins 3 game losing streak they have rattled off 4 wins and a row and have complete control in the Metropolitan Division.
The Penguins only play twice this week so there is really no excuse for them to not come out and play with a purpose.
Evgeni Malkin has played exceptional the past few games he will look to continue playing at that high level. If he does it is only a matter of time until the goals start pouring in. Beau Bennett and James Neal will be coming back in the foreseeable future, that will really help the forward depth.
Injuries
Rangers star winger Rick Nash is still on injured reserve with a concussion. He received that concussion on October 8th from Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart. It is Nash’s second concussion in the past two years and this one could potentially shelf Nash for the entire year. For those of us who follow the Penguins we wouldn’t wish what Crosby went through on anybody. Best wishes to Rick Nash.
Beau Bennett is technically still on IR but he has resumed practicing with the team. He could make his return against the Rangers tonight or the Penguins may hold him out just one more contest until they face the Blues on Saturday. This is very good news for the Penguins and their forward depth.
James Neal has resumed skating but not with the team. Some reports have him ready to return on Saturday in a best case scenario. I tend to believe that he will be out of action a tad bit longer. Given the Penguins record it is better to be safe than sorry on the injury front. There is no pressing need to rush back players at this point.
Chuck Kobasew remains out of commission. He will remain out for a few weeks. Will he have a roster spot when healthy? He may not.
No change in the status for Rob Scuderi and Tomas Vokoun
Power Play
The Penguins power play is clicking at 21.2%. That is good for 10th overall in the NHL. The Penguins are 15th overall in power play opportunities with 52.
The Rangers power play is 14th overall at 19.6%. The New York Rangers are 24th overall in power play opportunities with 46.
The Penguins have been doing a much better job this year with their power play design. If they keep the status quo up and insert James Neal into the mix it will be deadly all season long.
Penalty Kill
The Penguins penalty kill is 17th in the league at 81.0%
The Rangers are 14th in the league at 82.4%
Fenclose%
The Pittsburgh Penguins are tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for 1st overall in the NHL with 57.6%. The Penguins continue to play with the puck on their stick way more often than the opposition.
The New York Rangers are 17th overall at 49.3%.
Even Strength Save %
The Penguins are 11th overall with .925%. Marc Andre Fleury is currently at .935%
The Rangers are at 23rd overall at .915%. Henrik Lundqvist is at .919%.
Line Combos
This section will be updated as more information is released.
Projected lines for the Rangers:
Hagelin-Richards-Callahan
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello
Pyatt-Boyle-Pouliot
Mashinter-Brassard-Dorsett
McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Del Zotto
Trends
Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Metropolitan.
Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Penguins are 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Penguins are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in New York.
Rangers are 12-3 in their last 15 home games.
Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Rangers are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Stats are courtesy of Covers.com
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