RANGERS AT DUCKS GAME DAY PREVIEW 1/23

RANGERS LOOK TO SALVAGE WEST COAST TRIP VS DUCKS

New York Rangers (24-19-5) vs Anaheim Ducks (22-17-9)

TONIGHT 10:00 PM TV: MSG RADIO: ESPN-NY 98.7 F

Honda Center Anaheim, CA

The Rangers and Ducks meet for the second and final time this season in Anaheim tonight. In their first meeting at MSG on December 19th the Rangers defeated Anaheim 4-1. In the Contest Henrik Lundqvist stopped 40 of 41 shots while Paul Carey (2  goals), Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner provided the offense for New York. David Desharnais and Nick Holden posted 2 assists each in the game.

The Rangers will be looking to salvage an unsuccessful West Coast trip so far, having lost to Colorado on Saturday 3-1 and Sunday to Los Angeles 4-2.

Coming off a demoralizing loss to the Kings which saw LA score four unanswered goals between 3 second period power play goals and an empty netter to end the game the Rangers need to rebound tonight with such a close race in the Metropolitan Division having dropped to the 2nd Wild Card Spot passed by the surging Flyers yesterday for the first of two spots.

Tied with Pittsburgh and the Islanders who have both played one game more than New York at 53 points and 1 point behind Philadelphia these two points are a must for the Rangers if they want to stay in contention for a playoff berth. The Rangers trail second place New Jersey and third place Columbus by 3 points and are 8 points behind first place Wshington.

After tonight the Rangers have one more game in January, this coming Thursday against the San Jose Sharks before the NHL All Star Break.

Both Michael Grabner (Flu) and Marc Staal (Hip Flexor) returned to the Rangers lineup Sunday while Kevin Hayes (Leg Bruise) who practiced with the team prior to the game against the Kings remaining a 50/50 chance of returning tonight against Anaheim.

Anaheim comes into tonight’s game having lost to San Jose on Sunday 6-2 and holding a record of 3-2 in their last five games. Rickard Rakell leads the Ducks in goals, 17 and in points with 35. Goaltender John Gibson who has played the majority of games this season over backup Ryan Miller is 16-14-5 on the season with a GAA of 2.67 and a SV% of .920.

GAME DAY TEAM LEADERS:

Rangers

POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 34

GOALS: Michael Grabner 20

ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 26

Ducks

POINTS: Rickard Rakell 35

GOALS: Rickard Rakell 17

ASSISTS: Ryan Getzlaf 23