RANGERS FACE DEVILS, GRABNER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE DEADLINE
New York Rangers (34-37-8) at New Jersey Devils (42-28-9)
TONIGHT 7:00 PM, MSG+, MSG2, WEPN
Prudential Center Newark, NJ
Coming off a 2-1 home win at the Garden on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes the Rangers enter their first of three final games of the season tonight in New Jersey. The Rangers could possibly help the Florida Panthers who trail the Devils by five points for he last Wild Card spot in the East with a win tonight. The Rangers will also faceoff against a familiar face for the first time, Speedy Winger Michael Grabner who was traded from New York to the Devils at the NHL Trade Deadline for a prospect and a draft pick.
Tonight is the fourth and final meeting of the season for the Rangers and Devils. In prior meetings the Rangers have won only one game, a 5-2 win at the Garden on December 9. The Blueshirts have lost 3-2 on home ice on October 14 and dropped the last contest in New Jersey 4-3 in the shootout on December 21. Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello and Jimmy Vesey each have 2 goals, Kevin Shattenkirk and Jesper Fast each have a tally against New Jersey in the three games. Ondrej Pavelec is 0-1 against the Devils this season, Henrik Lundqvist is 1-1 stopping a combined 70 shots in those 2 games, 48 of those in the shootout loss.
The Rangers will be without surging winger Jesper Fast who was announced to have a groin injury yesterday. Fast will miss the final three games of the season. The will also be without Mats Zuccarello who is heading for an MRI after experiencing lower body discomfort after blocking shots in the last few games. Alain Vigneault commented that both players were having a tough time walking right now and was not counting on either to be available tonight.
The Metro Division 5th Place Devils have won 5 of their last 7 games including a 2-1 win on Sunday in Montreal. Taylor Hall leads the team in all categories with 37 goals, 52 assists for 89 points.
GAME DAY TEAM LEADERS
Rangers
POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 51
GOALS: Mika Zibanejad 27
ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 35
Devils
POINTS: Taylor Hall 89
GOALS: Taylor Hall 37
ASSISTS: Taylor Hall 52
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