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New York Rangers looking for winning finish in Vancouver

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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New York Rangers Defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) checks Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Jake Virtanen
New York Rangers Defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) checks Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Jake Virtanen /

It has been a testing road trip for the New York Rangers who will be looking to wave goodbye to Canada with a win against the Vancouver Canucks tonight.

Following a tough 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, the New York Rangers are now 1-2-0 on this four-game swing through Canada.

That is hardly the best record given that every game is crucial for the Blueshirts now in their bid to return to the postseason.

They can, however, salvage this road trip by beating the Vancouver Canucks tonight, although it won’t be easy.

The Canucks are a red hot team right how having won six straight, including a wild 7-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

So, in a nutshell, the Canucks are rolling right now and they come into tonight’s contest third in the Pacific Division and just four points behind leaders the Vegas Golden Knights.

Anyone thinking tonight’s contest will be an easy one for the Rangers will be mistaken then, and it will be interesting to see how the Blueshirts cope with Vancouver’s plethora of young, vibrant talent.

But it could be a familiar face that poses the most danger to New York tonight in. J.T. Miller, who was traded to Vancouver by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the off-season and has all of a sudden discovered a different side to his game.

Through 41 outings, Miller has contributed 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points, with 16 of those coming on the power play, which is just incredible for a player known more for his grit than his scoring exploits with the Rangers.

Miller will be just one of a number of threats the Blueshirts will have to be wary of, however, and all the ingredients are in place for a real fireworks-laden game given the firepower both these teams have in abundance.

Be it an offensive feast or a real chess match of a contest, though, the New York Rangers need to end this long road trip in Canada with a W.

New York Rangers Center Mika Zibanejad (93) takes the puck into the Canucks zone
New York Rangers Center Mika Zibanejad (93) takes the puck into the Canucks zone /

This season

Tonight’s game marks the second meeting between the Vancouver Canucks and the New York Rangers this year.

The Canucks won the first contest 3-2 at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, with goals from Jesper Fast and Artemi Panarin not enough to help dig the Rangers out of a three goal hole.

Tonight is the final match-up between these two franchises this year so the Blueshirts will be hoping to avoid a season-series sweep.

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