The New York Rangers are hitting their stride at the right time, as Henrik Lundqvist and company have stitched together four straight victories. They’ll be gunning for five in a row at Madison Square Garden later tonight when they host the ever-dangerous Los Angeles Kings.
All good things must come to an end. Two days after thrashing the Boston Bruins, 9-2, the Los Angeles Kings were sent crashing back to earth as they absorbed a humiliating 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. John Tavares had a goal and an assist for the Islanders who recorded their third straight win. Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for the Kings who lost for the fifth time in their last nine games.
For the Kings to return to winning ways against the Rangers tonight, they will need to focus on their defense once again. They conceded a whopping five goals on Thursday, way above their goals-against average of 2.3. Stopping the Rangers is easier said than done, though, as they will face a New York team that is scorching hot on the offensive end right now. The Rangers have scored 12 goals in their last four games. New York is fifth in the NHL in scoring, averaging 2.8 goals per game this season.
Fortunately for the Kings, they have one of the best goalkeepers in the game today in Jonathan Quick to help stave off New York’s superb offensive lineup. He is 11th among all goalies with a 2.23 GAA and is third in the wins department with 28 this season.
The New York Rangers extended their winning streak to four games with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. It was a huge victory for the Rangers who moved three points clear of the Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Key to the Rangers’ resurgence has been their incredible defense. The Rangers have allowed a total of just five goals during their four-game unbeaten run. That suffocating defense was in full display Wednesday against the Penguins where they shut out Pittsburgh’s high-flying attack. In fact, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby didn’t record a single shot on goal as he failed to extend his career-high seven-game goal-scoring streak.
For the Rangers to continue their winning run tonight, they will need Henrik Lundqvist to continue his outstanding play. He was sensational in their last game against the Penguins, stopping 34 shots for his third shutout of the season. It was Lundqvist’s 27th win of the season as he passed Martin Brodeur for most victories by a goaltender in his first 11 NHL seasons.
Lundqvist has now won nine of his last 12 starts and allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of his last 18 appearances. The Rangers need their ever-reliable goalie now more than ever with captain Ryan McDonagh (concussion) and eight-time 30-goal scorer Rick Nash (bone bruise) still out of action.
The Rangers are 5-0 in their last five home games.
