New York Rangers Looking To Outstalk The Predators

Returning home from their Florida road trip where they went 1-1, the New York Rangers will be in action tonight taking on the Western Conference’s Nashville Predators.

The meeting showcases two of today’s premier goalies in the NHL in Henrik Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne.

The two are at the top of their games, and almost mirror images of each other, workload-wise and their importance to their team’s success.

Rinne has met the Rangers three times in his career, going 1-1-1 in those games. He has a 1.98 goals against average and a save percentage over .935.

Last season, he started both games in the two teams season series, splitting the contests. That win came in February in Nashville, where the Predators won 3-2 behind Mike Ribeiro‘s game-winning goal.

In that game, New York outshot Nashville 32-23, with Rinne keeping the game within close.

However, the good thing is Rinne is currently on a two-game losing streak in net. He was in net for the Predators in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday. In both games, he gave up at least three goals to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild.

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For Lundqvist, he has won four of his past five games started.

He currently leads the league in wins with (11), goals against average of 1.85, and save percentage of .943.

After the Rangers overtime win on Saturday against the Florida Panthers, the King had some choice, but honest words about his team’s performance:

The important thing is they escaped with the two points, but it’s alarming for a team such as the Rangers caliber to let a two-goal lead slip from your fingers. However, all is forgiven if players step and have the uncanny ability to bail the team out.

That type of play makes winners, and makes overcoming adversity that much easier.

New York Rangers

Lundqvist did not start in either game last season In his career against Nashville, he is 4-3 with a goals against average a little over 1.70, and save percentage of near .940.

As mentioned before, mirror images of their performance and significance to their respective teams.

Outside of the superstar goalie matchup, the Predators boast one of the game’s premier defenseman in Shea Weber.

For the season, he has (10) points in (19) games played. He has just two points, both of which are goals, in his past five games.

Fortunately, he has not been penalizing to New York in his career. In nine games versus the Rangers, Weber has just two goals with a subpar (-5) goal rating.

For the Rangers, the team’s captain Ryan McDonagh should have a good game against the Predators.

After a slow start to the season, he has eight points for the season, four of which he has scored in his past five games.

Next: Rangers' X Factor: Mats Zuccarello

Against the Predators, McDonagh has played in five games, registering two points while carrying a +5 rating.

Should be a good defensive matchup. However, the Rangers have been outscoring their opponents 32-16 since November 3rd.

Don’t be surprised if the lamp is lit multiple times int he Rangers favor.