News and Notes

Chris Kreider is returning for the Rangers tonight

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)

Chris Kreider will return to the Rangers lineup tonight after missing two games due to a hand injury. (NYR)

Alain Vigneault said yesterday that Kreider has been cleared medically and "looked good" out on the ice. (NYR)

Vigneault said that he wasn't sure which forward would come out for Kreider. (NYR)

Asked what he wants to see from Kreider, Vigneault said that he has to play to his strengths which include his speed, size, physicality, puck protection and an ability to go to the tough areas to score goals.

Vigneault said that Kreider is one of the best Rangers at creating a net front presence and "when he plays to his strength he is a real effective player for us."

On Sunday, Kreider said "my hand is fine" and that he is cleared to play. (NYR)

Where the Rangers stand at the half-way point of the season

Mats Zuccarello scored the game-winning goal with 58 seconds remaining in the Rangers' win over the Maple Leafs. (AP)

After 41 games, the Rangers are tied with the Islanders with 49 points but are in second place because they have played one fewer game.
The Rangers are 22-14-15, 15-5-2 at home, 7-9-3 on the road and 4-5-1 in their last 10.
The Rangers goal differential of plus 12 is 10th best in the NHL
According to Sports Club Stats the Rangers have a 87.3% chance of making the playoffs this season.
Mats Zuccarello leads the Rangers in goals (16) and points (31) while Rick Nash leads in assists with 17.
Ryan McDonagh leads the team with an average of 22:54 per game.
At 5 on 5, the Rangers control 47.51% of the shot attempts which is 26th in the NHL (Natural Stat Trick)
At 5 on 5 the Rangers have the second best goals for % in the league at 56.80%. (Natural Stat Trick)
Adam Rotter: Well this is the start of the second half for the Rangers. There is a list of players, nearly the entire roster, that need to play better and it starts with Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. Positive steps have been taken over the last few games and it's time for the Rangers to turn those steps into wins and then a winning streak.

Prospect Aleksi Saarela out the rest of the season in Finland

Rangers prospect Aleksi Saarela was injured in his return to the Finnish league after the World Junior Championships and is out for the rest of the season. (Hiitelä)

Saarela assisted on the Gold Medal winning goal for Finland and had 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 tournament games.

In the Finnish league this season, Saarela had 10 goals and 5 assists in 28 games.

Corey Pronman listed Saarela as one of the surprises of the tournament, saying that he played well in every game of the tournament. (ESPN Insider)

Pronman says that Saarela has an "above-average" shot and that an increased level of skating allowed him to use his vision and play with "great pace." (ESPN Insider)