NYR TODAY Monday 3/6: Rangers vs Lightning Preview, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (41-22-2) vs TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (30-26-8)
Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, FL 7:30 PM TV: MSG+, SUN-S,  Radio: WEPN 98.7 FM

The Rangers look to bounce back from 2 losses in the past three games hitting the road for a four game road trip starting tonight in Florida taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers lead the NHL in road wins with a record of 22-8-0.

This will be the second of three meetings between the Rangers and Lightning this season and first of two games within the next 7 days. The Rangers defeated Tampa back on October 30th at Madison Square Garden by a score of 6-1.

Injured Rangers leading scorer Michael Grabner traveled with the team but is not expected to play tonight vs Tampa although injured defenseman Kevin Klein did not make the trip. Both Grabner (hip) and Klein (back spasms) are still listed as day to day.

Defenseman Steven Kampfer, recalled yesterday will not be in tonight's lineup but forward Tanner Glass also recalled yesterday may get a shot tonight and bring a physical edge to the Rangers lineup.

Tonight's starting goaltender for the Rangers has not yet been announced. Henrik Lundqvist has posted a record of 4-1-1 in his last 6 starts while backup Antti Raanta has not started a game since February 13 in a Rangers 3-2 Win over Columbus. With back to back games tonight and tomorrow against the Panthers we should see both Lundqvist and Raanta get starts.


NYR GAME DAY STATS:

RANGERS TEAM LEADERS:

SKATERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 26
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 33
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 48
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +27
GWG: J.T. MILLER 6
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH, JIMMY VESEY 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 12
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3
SHP KEVIN HAYES 6
PIM: CHRIS KREIDER 42
FO%: CHRIS KREIDER 62.50

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 29
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.36
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .920
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  29-17-2 GAA: 2.66 SV%: .913 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 12-4-0 GAA: 2.36 SV%: .912 SO: 2

RANGERS TEAM STATS

41-22-2
6th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 41 (Rank #4)
POINTS: 84 (Rank #6)
WIN%: 0.646 (Rank #7)
GOALS FOR: 207 (Rank #4)
GOALS AGAINST: 171 (Rank #12)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 34 (Rank #21)
POWER PLAY %: 18.09 (Rank #18)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 32 (Rank #8)
PENALTY KILL: 81.18 (Rank #15)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 8 (Rank #1)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 3 (Rank #6)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #8)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 11
SHOOTOUTS: 3/5

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 6:

Andy Aitenhead G (1932-1935) Pete Goegan D (1961-1962) Reg Sinclair RW (1940-1952)

Today in NYR History March 6:

1990: The Rangers acquire Mike Gartner from the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for Ulf Dahlen, a fourth-round pick in 1990 and future considerations.