New York Rangers: Can they keep the streak going in Montreal?

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 06: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens skates in on Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 06, 2019 in New York City. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Rangers travel to Montreal for yet another crucial game in their hunt for a playoff spot. Winners of eight in a row on the road, the Blueshirts are just four points out of the wild card.

The last time the New York Rangers played at the Bell Centre it was the weekend before Thanksgiving and they came back from a four goal deficit to beat the Canadiens 6-5. It’s a win that coach David Quinn has pointed to often as a turning point for his young team.

Going into that game, the Canadiens were perched in third place in the Atlantic Division while the Rangers were in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. How things have changed. Mntreal has slipped to fifth place with their playoff hopes evaporating while the Rangers are still in seventh in a loaded Metropolitan Division, but on the move upwards towards the playoffs.

The Rangers will be looking to extend their franchise road winning streak to nine games, a feat accomplished by only nine other teams in NHL history. They are looking for a season high fifth win in a row after winning eight of their last nine games.

They will be doing it with the same lineup that toppled the Islanders on Tuesday. Pavel Buchnevich will miss his second game recuperating from injuries suffered in that car accident. Alexandar Georgiev will be in goal for the Blueshirts after his 42 save performance against the Isles.

With both the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets off tonight, it’s an opportunity for the Rangers to clumb in the standings. With a win, they will tied the Hurricanes in points and pull with two of Columbus. The Playoff Probabilities Report on hockeyreference.com shows the Rangers with a 32% chance of making the playoffs and even gives them a 1% shot at the Stanley Cup. The Athletic (subscription required) has a daily projection that puts the Rangers with a 29% chance of the playoffs.

Can the Blueshirts make magic again north of the border? With all of their cylinders clicking, the team is on a roll unlike any we have seen in years. Montreal has lost six of their last eight games and are vulnerable to this Rangers team.

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