NYR TODAY Sunday 2/5: Rangers vs Flames Game Day Preview, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (32-18-1) vs CALGARY FLAMES (27-24-3)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 2:00 PM TV: NBCSN, MSG RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

The Rangers open a four game homestand this afternoon against the Calgary Flames at MSG. This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Rangers took the first game 4-1 in Calgary back on November 12th.

Henrik Lundqvist coming off a 36 save performance in Buffalo has been announced as the Rangers starter. As per the Rangers Lundqvist will get his eighth straight start Sunday afternoon against Calgary. He's 4-1 against Calgary with a 2.33 GAA and a .921 SV% in his last five appearances dating back to Oct. 20, 2011.

There looks to be no lineup changes from the previous game for the Rangers. Kevin Hayes (lower body injury) is close to returning but will not play today against Calgary according to Rangers Coach Alain Vigneault.


Rangers Projected Lineup vs Calgary Flames

Forwards:
Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey, Derek Stepan, Rick Nash
Michael Grabner, JT Miller, Jesper Fast
Pavel Buchnevich, Oscar Lindberg, Matt Puempel

Defense:
Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Nick Holden
Brady Skjei - Kevin Klein

Starter:
Henrik Lundqvist
Backup:
Antti Raanta

Scratches:
Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening

Injured:
Kevin Hayes

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 22
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 29
POINTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 39
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +21
GWG: J.T. MILLER 5
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 11
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 22
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.34
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .918
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  22-13-1 GAA: 2.73 SV%: .907 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.34 SV%: .918 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS

32-18-1
9th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 32 (Rank #6)
POINTS: 65 (Rank #9)
WIN%: 0.637 (Rank #7)
GOALS FOR: 171 (Rank #2)
GOALS AGAINST: 135 (Rank #10)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 32 (Rank #15)
POWER PLAY %: 20.78 (Rank #12)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 24 (Rank #2)
PENALTY KILL: 82.61 (Rank #11)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 7 (Rank #2)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 2 (Rank #4)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #4)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 9
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

Today in NYR History February 5:

1993: Mike Gartner wins the fastest skater competition during the 1993 All-Star Game festivities, completing a lap in 13.51 seconds

2007: The Rangers acquire Sean Avery, John Seymour and future considerations from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jason Ward, Marc-Andre Cliche, Jan Marek and future considerations.