New York Rangers Vs. Edmonton Oiler Pregame

Time: 6:00 pm EST

Location: Madison Square Garden-New York, NY

The Rangers return home after a disappointing visit to Toronto, where they loss the game after leading in the third period to the Maple Leafs. To make matters worse, they let a valuable two points slipped through their grasps. No rest for the weary as the team is back at it tonight to host the Edmonton Oilers.

This will be the first of two games this season, as each team will play host. Last season, the Rangers and Oilers split their home-and-home series, with each team winning on the other’s ice. The Rangers come into tonight’s tilt after a disappointing road loss to the Maple Leafs, 5-4. It will be interesting to see how the team responds after last night: will there be a letdown or redemption?

There are bright spots, however. Rick Nash leads the team in goals and is tied for the league’s lead with 11. He currently is riding a three-game point streak (three goals, two assists) and has five points in five games including a game with multiple points (one goal, one assist against the Minnesota Wild). He is tied with Chris Kreider with a +5 rating for the team lead in that category. Kreider is coming off his own multi-point game last night, scoring one goal and one assist against Jonathan Bernier and the Leafs. Mats Zuccarello is coming off a multi-point game himself and finished with a +2 rating. Both players were on a line with Derek Stepan, who registered a point in his season debut. Expect this line to remain intact,a s it was the most productive for Alain Vigneault last night. In goal, Henrik Lundqvist should get the start tonight. He comes into tonight with a 6-3-1 record with a 2.86 goals against average for the season. In his last five he has started, Lundqvist 3-1-1 including one shutout. Unfortunately, the King has allowed three or more goals in those games. The Rangers will need him to bring his A+ game to help right the ship and win tonight on home-ice.

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The Oilers are coming off a Friday 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Their team’s leading scorer, Taylor Hall, is out with a leg injury suffered early this month against the Vancouver Canucks. Jordan Eberle is second on the team in points with nine (three goals, six assists). A familiar face will return tonight. Former Rangers forward Benoit Pouliot will make his debut as an Oiler in front of theGarden faithful. For the season, Pouliot has one goal, three assists, and is a -5. An instrumental part of the Rangers last season’s success, Pouliot left in the offseason via free agency. He should get a warm welcome before the beginning of the game. In net, the Oilers may start Viktor Fasth against his fellow countryman. It will mark the first time in Fasth’s career that he will start against Lundqvist. He brings a record of 1-2-1 with 3.88 goals against average in four games started. Dallas Eakins is giving the Swede back-to-back starting nods, where he is coming off an impressive 29-save performance that helped the Oilers to victory over the Sabres on Friday.

Tonight, the player to watch is Derek Stepan. Watching him last night, he does not look affected by his preseason leg injury. Tonight will mark the first time Stepan will touch the Garden Ice and play in front of Rangers nation. Rest assured, his adrenaline will be pumping and will be looking to impress.

For the Oilers, the team just needs to survive. Their player to watch will be Viktor Fasth. After a successful career as a Anaheim Duck, he tries a need setting in Edmonton. However, the Oilers that is still trying to find a winning formula. For Fasth, as with all Oiler goalies, will need to be mindful of defensive break downs and lapses on the ice. However, the Rangers have been notorious for making goalies, especially back-up goalies, look like Vezina trophy candidates.

Game on in the Garden!

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