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New York Rangers: Lundqvist out, Georgiev in as three game road trip starts versus Colorado Avalanche

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: Patrik Nemeth #12 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: Patrik Nemeth #12 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck against Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: David Quinn, head coach of the New York Rangers handles bench duties during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 2018 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: David Quinn, head coach of the New York Rangers handles bench duties during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 2018 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

What you need to know about the game

About the Rangers

  • Their last  three even strength goals over two games were scored by Pavel Buchnevich, Ryan Strome and Boo Nieves.  Balanced scoring helps, but the top lines need to keep scoring.
  • The Rangers have a two game winning streak on the road, both in regulation. They are 6-5-1 on the road in their last 12 games.
  • The Ranger power play has  scored only three goals in seven games. 20% isn’t awful,but they have drawn only 15 penalties in that time.
  • Not sure who will sit for tonight’s game, but DeAngelo/Smith are the best possibilities on defense.  Kevin Hayes missed practice for a “maintenance day” and Strome took his place on the second line.
  • Colorado has been mentioned as a possible destination for Kevin Hayes at the deadline.  There’s been no word if any contract extention talks have gone on with the Rangers and his agent.

light. Related Story. Two possible destinations for Kevin Hayes

About the Avalanche
  • After pulling Philip Grubauer in his last game, Colorado coach Jared Bednar said he may start Pavel Francouz.  Francouz is a 28-year old Czech rookie who has appeared in two games in relief.  He allowed one goal on thirteen shots vs. San Jose.  This would be his first NHL start.  Considering the Rangers’ record against back-up goalies, look out.
  • The Avalanche are looking to get a huge payoff from their trade of Matt Duchene to the Senators.  The Avs got defenseman Sam Girard, goalie Andrew Hammond, center Shane Bowers, center Valari Kamenev and first, second and third round draft picks. Girard and Kamenev are playing regularly for Colorado, though the Russian is on IR.  Bowers is a top center for BU (recruited by David Quinn) while Hammond is in the AHL.  The first rounder could be the top pick in the 2019 draft as Ottawa currently is tied for last place in the NHL.  Meanwhile, Duchene is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.  Joe Sakic pulled off highway robbery in this deal.
  • Six players are out of the lineup including defenseman Nikita Zadarov, center Colin Wilson and goalie Semyon Varlamov.
  • Former Ranger defense prospect Ryan Graves has appeared in the last four games for the Avs.  A 2013 4th round pick, he was traded to Colorado last February for Chris Bigras. Bigras is playing in Hartford where he has 17 points in 34 games. Graves was known for having one of the hardest shots in the AHL.   With the likelihood that we won’t be seeing Bigras on Broadway anytime soon, so far, Colorado has won this trade.

Head to head

  • This is the second and last meeting between the teams.  The Rangers won their first game in a shootout 3-2 in October.  It was the Rangers second win in their sixth game of the season.
  • The Rangers lost both games to Colorado last season.  The Avs won at the Garden in the Blueshirts’ home opener, a game the Rangers dominated.
  • Since the team moved to Colorado from Quebec, they are 20-13-2 against the Rangers, but only 9-7 at home.

Next. It's time to raise the white flag. dark

Game Info
  • Team USA takes on Russia at 4pm on the NHL Network. It’s K’Andre Miller vs. Vitali Kravtsov who is supposed to be okay following a hand injury in the last game.
  • Nico Gross and Switzerland play FInland in the other Semi-final at 8pm.
  • Ranger gametime is 9pm and it will be televised on MSG 2.  The radiocast will be on ESPN Radio 1050 AM.
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