RANGERS VS HURRICANES GAME DAY PREVIEW 11/22

RANGERS FACE CANES IN CAROLINA

New York Rangers (10-9-2) vs Carolina Hurricanes (9-6-4)

TONIGHT 7:00 PM TV: MSG2 Radio: WEPN 98.7

PNC Arena, Raleigh, SC

Coming into tonight’s game after ending their two game losing streak at home against the Ottawa Senators the Rangers will look to play the same type of consistent game they had with the Sens.

This is this first of four meetings between the Rangers and Hurricanes this season.

Tonight the Rangers will be without Captain Ryan McDonagh who is said to be suffering from an abdominal strain that has been lingering for some time.

Doctors want the Rangers to rest McDonagh so they can diagnose why the injury has not yet healed. There is no timetable set for his return at this time and no word if he will be ready to play on Friday when the Rangers take on the Detroit Red WIngs at the Garden.

Brendan Smith will slot in alongside Nick Holden, taking McDonagh’s spot while Steven Kampfer will return to the lineup paired with Marc Staal. The Kevin Shattenkirk and Brady Skjei pairing will remain intact.

David Desharnais who was a healthy scratch against Ottawa will return to the lineup on the wing centered by Boo Nieves and flanked by Jimmy Vesey. Paul Carey will be a healthy scratch.

J.T. Miller will once again start the game at center between Michael Grabner and Mats Zuccarello.

Henrik Lundqvist has been announced to start between the pipes for New York. Lundqvist will be starting his 10th consecutive game having gone 7-2 with a .921 SV% in his previous 9 starts. He has also allowed two goals or fewer in four of his last five appearances, posting a 3-2-0 record, along with a 2.12 GAA, a .937 SV%, and 1 SO over the span and is tied for second in the NHL in appearances this season (18) Lundqvist has been selected as one of the game's Three Stars in nine of his 18 appearances.

TEAM LEADERS:

RANGERS

POINTS: Mika Zibanejad 20

GOALS: Mika Zibanejad 10

ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 13

HURRICANES

POINTS: Teuvo Teravainen 19

GOALS: Jeff Skinner 9

ASSISTS: Sebastian Aho 13

RANGERS LINEUP VS CAROLINA

Forwards:
Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich
Rick Nash, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast
Michael Grabner, JT Miller, Mats Zuccarello
David Desharnais-Boo Nieves-Jimmy Vesey

Defense Pairs:
Brendan Smith-Nick Holden
Kevin Shattenkirk-Brady Skjei
Marc Staal-Steven Kampfer

Starter: Henrik Lundqvist

Backup: Ondrej Pavelec

Scratched: Paul Carey

Injuries: Ryan McDonagh (DTD, Abdominal Strain)