NYR TODAY Saturday 2/11: Rangers vs Avalanche Pregame Notes, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (35-18-1) vs COLORADO AVALANCHE (15-34-2)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: MSG RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

Tonight at MSG the Rangers finish up a four game home stand hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Having won their last four games in a row the Rangers look to extend their streak and win their 5th in a row and four out of four at home before heading to Columbus on Tuesday.

This is the second of two meetings between the two teams this season. The Rangers won the previous game in Colorado 6-2 on New Years Eve. In the game Chris Kreider score a hat trick to propel the Rangers to the win while Henrik Lundqvist picked up his 390th career win to surpass Dominic Hasek for most wins by a European born goaltender.

The Rangers starter has not yet been named for tonight's contest. Most likely getting the nod, Henrik Lundqvist will be going for his 400th career Rangers/NHL Win. Lundqvist is 3-0-2 in his last 5 games against the Avalanche.

Defenseman Dan Girardi will most likely again miss today's game after being scratched on Thursday due to a foot injury suffered in a game vs Anaheim.

Rangers Projected Lineup vs Colorado Avalanche

Forwards:
Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey, Derek Stepan, Rick Nash
Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller
Pavel Buchnevich, Oscar Lindberg, Jesper Fast

Defense:
Ryan McDonagh - Nick Holden
Marc Staal - Adam Clendening
Brady Skjei - Kevin Klein

Starter:
Henrik Lundqvist
Backup:
Antti Raanta

Scratches:
Brandon Pirri, Dan Girardi, Matt Puempel


NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 26
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 30
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 44
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +27
GWG: J.T. MILLER 6
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 12
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 25
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.34
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .918
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  25-13-1 GAA: 2.70 SV%: .911 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.34 SV%: .918 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS
35-18-1
6th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 35 (Rank #3)
POINTS: 71 (Rank #6)
WIN%: 0.657 (Rank #5)
GOALS FOR: 183 (Rank #3)
GOALS AGAINST: 142 (Rank #10)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 33 (Rank #15)
POWER PLAY %: 21.02 (Rank #11)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 27 (Rank #5)
PENALTY KILL: 81.51 (Rank #13)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 7 (Rank #2)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 2 (Rank #4)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #4)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 10
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

NYR Alumni Birthdays February 11:

Andre Dore D (1978-1985) Steve Nemeth C (1987-1988) Jamie Pushor D (2003-2004) Eddie Shack LW (1958-1960) Ulf Sterner LW (1964-1965)

Today in NYR History February 11:

1968: The Rangers play their final game at MSG III. The Rangers rally for a 3-3 tie with Detroit. Rod Gilbert has three assists for New York, including one on Jean Ratelle's game-tying goal in the third period that turns out to be the last in the old Garden. The new (and current) Garden opens one week later.

1994: The Rangers vs. Nordiques game at Madison Square Garden is postponed due to snow, becoming the first postponement at the arena.

2001: Theo Fleury establishes a franchise record with his seventh short-handed goal of the season in a 1-1 tie against the Devils.