A Wild Affair Expected For New York Rangers In Minnesota
Rangers look to cool off red-hot Wild
Time: 8:00 pm EST
Location: Xcel energy Center-St. Paul, MN
The New York Rangers enter tonight’s contest, coming off a tough 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. This will be the second and final meeting with the Minnesota Wild this season.
The two teams met last October of the 2014-2015 season. The Rangers came away with a 5-4 victory over the Wild at Madison Square Garden, overcoming a three-goal deficit in the third period for the win.
The team has an opportunity to clinch the Metropolitan Division with a win tonight.
New York Rangers
(48-21-7 with 103 points, first place in the Metropolitan Division, clinched playoff berth)
The team is 25-11-2 on the road this season. In their last 10 games, they are 6-4.
The game in Winnipeg must have been tough to play in. The Jets took it to the Rangers all game. Aside from the Dustin Bfyuglien incidencies with J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello, the Rangers hung on and beat the Jets with their speed and quickness.
After going four games without a power play goal (including two games without a power play given), the Rangers went one for three on Tuesday. It would be nice luxury for the team to continue this trend, leading into the playoffs. make life easier.
A welcome back to the 39-year old veteran Martin St. Louis. He has been out with an injured knee, since March 15th. The Rangers went 4-4 in his absence.
Expect Alain Vigneault to start St. Louis on the third line with Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin.
Minnesota Wild
(44-25-27 with 95 points, fourth place in the Central Division, occupy Wild Card spot in Western Conference)
Winners of five games in a row, the Wild are on a mission to make the playoffs and beyond. Their current five-game winning streak dates back to March 21st. Their wins came against the St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, and Los Angeles Kings.
Since the acquisition of Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona Coyotes, the franchise’s fortunes have turned around. They are poised for a Western Conference playoff spot.
For the season, the Wild are 22-11-5 at home. They are also 8-2 in their last 10 games.
New York Rangers
Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start tonight.
This will be his second straight start, since coming back from injury back in February. He is 1-1 with a 3.00 GAA. After giving up four goals to the Boston Bruins, Lundqvist appears to be settled in between the pipes.
Against the Jets, he gave up two goals while making 34 saves on way to his 26th win of the season.
Dubnyk should be in net for the Wild.
And why not? The man is only 26-6-1 with a 1.70 GAA since being traded from the Coyotes in January. He was named the NHL’s Third Star for the month of March with 11 wins (road record of 6-0) while carrying a 1.78 GAA.
He has given the Wild a realistic shot at the post season and provided security in net, this season. He has become the team’s number one goalie and looking to extend the team’s winning streak tonight.
Injuries:
D, Kevin Klein (broken arm)
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