The last time the Rangers played at MSG was two weeks ago, October 19. The end result was a 4-1 loss to the Predators with the Blueshirts getting booed off the ice. Since then, all New York has done is have the first 5-0 road trip in their history and return home, 7-2 and lead the Metro. The Rangers face the Hurricanes tonight in the first of what is a stretch of four home games in five contests, the last three on Garden ice.
Peter Laviolette had a few interesting nuggets in his pre-game press conference:
1) Fourth line usage and performance: As Vince Mercogliano noted in his first tweet: "4th line ranks dead last among NHL lines that have logged at least 30 min together with a 15.6% xGF, per @MoneyPuckdotcom. They're being asked to play a lot of defense, with 95.8% of their faceoffs coming outside of the offensive zone"
Goodrow-Bonino-Vesey, and at times Pitlick, are starting in their own zone, but getting cratered there. Part of what has helped their overall numbers are the blocks by Bonino. But with that line having some continuity, since they have played together a bit, the next step is to find a way not to be pinned in the defensive zone, even if a large portion of their zone starts are in the neutral or defensive zone. This is one area to watch in the next 10-game stretch.
"They are getting a tougher duty. It is more difficult for them to get (to the O zone). When they get there, I would like to see them generate more, but I would like to see all of our lines and our defensemen trying to figure out a way to get more in the offensive zone." #NYR
2) Statement game - Laviolette discussed the match up with Carolina. To me, it's not a statement game. Yes, it's a step up in class based on who else they have played this year and it's a key divisional game. But, the game is on November 2, not the end of March. New York comes in off a five-game road trip and it's their first contest at home since that ended. While it has a bit more importance and a win would be great, a loss would not be devastating, unless the team plays like they did against Nashville. Then I might be a little concerned.
PL said this about playing CAR: "Every game is so important, but then I think there are games inside of your division that happen to have extra weight to it. They've won the division for the last 3 years... This is a game you look at & say, ‘This is a team we've got to beat" #NYR
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