NYR TODAY Tuesday 2/7: Rangers vs Ducks Preview, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (33-18-1) vs ANAHEIM DUCKS (28-16-10)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: MSG RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

Game two of a four game home stand continues tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. Center Kevin Hayes is a 50/50 chance to return to the lineup tonight after missing five games with a lower body injury. If Hayes makes his return to the lineup, Matt Puepel is the probable scratch for tonight's game.

The Rangers starting goalie is still undecided. With a two day layoff sine the win against Calgary Henrik Lundqvist would be the natural choice in net although coach Vigneault did state that Antti Raanta will get a start this week but was not specific on when. Rannta who has not started a game since January 14th is 1-0-1 with a 1.45 GAA and a .939 SV% in two games against Anaheim. Henrik Lundqvist holds a record of 5-4-1 in his career against the Ducks, he has won both of his last two appearances against Anaheim.

Rick Nash has a point in 14 of his last 17 games against Anaheim, posting 12 goals in those contests. Marc Staal, dealing with the flu will most likely be a game time decision. If scratched Adam Clendening will return to the lineup.

Head Coach Alain Vigneault is looking to pick up his 600th career win as a head coach tonight.

The Rangers are 6-1-0 against Pacific Division opponents this season.

Rangers Projected Lineup vs Anaheim Ducks

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 - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Nick Holden
Brady Skjei - Kevin Klein

Starter:
Henrik Lundqvist
Backup:
Antti Raanta

Scratches:
Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening, Matt Puempel

Questionable:
Kevin Hayes (lower body), Marc Staal (flu)


NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 23
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 29
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 40
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +22
GWG: J.T. MILLER 5
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 12
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 23
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.34
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .918
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  23-13-1 GAA: 2.74 SV%: .907 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.34 SV%: .918 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS

33-18-1
8th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 33 (Rank #3)
POINTS: 67 (Rank #8)
WIN%: 0.644 (Rank #6)
GOALS FOR: 175 (Rank #2)
GOALS AGAINST: 138 (Rank #11)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 33 (Rank #12)
POWER PLAY %: 21.29 (Rank #9)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 25 (Rank #3)
PENALTY KILL: 82.01 (Rank #15)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 7 (Rank #2)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 2 (Rank #4)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #4)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 9
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

NYR Alumni Birthdays February 7:

Alexandre Daigle RW (1999-2000) Mike Hartman LW (1992-1995) Jody Shelley LW (2009-2010) Tom Williams LW (1972-1973)

Today in NYR History February 7:

1976: Rod Gilbert tallies four goals in a game for the third time as a Ranger, establishing a franchise record, in a 5-4 victory over the Red Wings.