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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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CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 02: New York Rangers Left Wing Chris Kreider (20) and Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) prepare for a face-off during the second period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the New York Rangers on January 2, 2020, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 02: New York Rangers Left Wing Chris Kreider (20) and Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) prepare for a face-off during the second period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the New York Rangers on January 2, 2020, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

About the Rangers

It is rapidly approaching judgement day for the New York Rangers who will soon determine whether they will be buyers or sellers at the Trade Deadline.

Given the roster needs they have and the way this year is going, it would probably make sense to be sellers although it isn’t going to be as dramatic as in previous years.

After all, Chris Kreider is the only real asset left to trade although the front office will have important decisions to make on Ryan Strome, Tony DeAngelo and Alexandar Georgiev.

There is still time to convince General Manager Jeff Gorton and President John Davidson to be buyers, however, although the Rangers are going to need to go on a long run sooner rather than later.

Because, with every loss comes the dramatic shortening of their chances to make the postseason, and tonight is going to be a big game in terms of staying alive.

Whatever happens, the biggest area of concern for the Rangers is the defense which ranks 28th in Goals Against Per Game (3.35).

They are better in the offensive zone, though, with the 11th ranked offense in terms of Goals For Per Game (3.30).

In terms of special teams, the Blueshirts are average with the 15th ranked power play (19.7) and the 23rd ranked penalty kill (78.0).

Henrik Lundqvist got the start against the Calgary Flames on Thursday, so expect Alexandar Georgiev to go tonight.

Also, Kaapo Kakko will be returning to the scene of one of the greatest moments of his young career tonight, having been taken No.2 overall by the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver.

Kakko snapped his goal drought against the Calgary Flames, which had stretched 19 games, but was benched for a large chunk of the third period after taking a bad holding penalty.

Let’s hope being back in Vancouver inspires Kakko and the New York Rangers to a much-needed win tonight.

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 2: Brock Boeser #6, Elias Pettersson #40 and J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks listens to the national anthems during their NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Arena January 2, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 7-5. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 2: Brock Boeser #6, Elias Pettersson #40 and J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks listens to the national anthems during their NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Arena January 2, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 7-5. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

About the Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are on an absolute tear right now with a six-game winning streak, which is their longest since Dec. 28/16 – Jan. 6/17.

They are also 7-3-0 in their last 10 outings and they are keeping the pressure on the Vegas Golden Knights and the Arizona Coyotes.

Like the New York Rangers, the Canucks have a young core that is one of the best in the NHL, although they are still very much learning on the job.

They are led by Elias Pettersson who is having anything but a sophomore slump, leading Vancouver in points with 44 (19 goals, 25 assists).

Brock Boeser, who is riding a six-game point streak, has 13 goals and 26 assists for 39 points, while Captain Bo Horvat has 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) through 41 games.

Rookie Quinn Hughes is having himself a hell of a rookie year with four goals and 25 assists for 29 points, including 11 points (2-9-11) in his last 16 games.

And then there is J.T. Miller. We mentioned this at the start but the former Ranger has truly broke out offensively this year with 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists).

He’s second on Vancouver in points and is tied eighth in the NHL in power play goals with seven, which is a far cry from the gritty forward he was in New York.

Vancouver ranks 1st in the NHL with 40 power play goals this year and their man advantage unit is the fourth best in the league (26.7).

They struggle on the penalty kill, however, with the 15th ranked unit in the NHL (80.7), while they are ranked 19th in the league in Goals Against Per Game (3.00) this year.

Jacob Markstrom could get the start in net tonight and the goalie was recently added to the 2020 All-Star Game having enjoyed a fine year with a 14-11-3 record, along with a 2.72 Goals Against Average and a .917 Save Percentage.

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