DEADLINE LOOMING, RANGERS HEAD TO MONTREAL
LOOK TO SNAP FOUR GAME SKID IN FIRST OF BACK TO BACK GAMES
New York Rangers (27-28-5) vs Montreal Canadiens (22-29-9)
TONIGHT 7:30 PM TV: MSG2 RADIO: WEPN
Bell Centre Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Tonight the Rangers return to action after a four day layoff looking to snap a four game losing skid that dates back to their last win on February 11 in Winnipeg.
Two Rangers will make their debuts while one Ranger returns from injury. Alexandar Georgiev will make his Rangers/NHL debut tonight getting the nod in net against the Habs. Georgiev was to start last Saturday’s game in Ottawa but was too ill to make the trip. Newly acquired defenseman Rob O’Gara will also make his debut since coming over in a trade with the Bruins for Nick Holden. O’Gara was paired with rookie John Gilmour on the third pairing in practice yesterday. Marc Staal will make his return to the lineup after being sidelined for the past week plus with a cervical strain. Staal was paired with Tony DeAngelo on the second pait yesterday.
This is the third and final meeting between the Blueshirts and Canadiens, both teams have home wins over the other. The Rangers defeated Montreal 2-0 back on October 8 at MSG while the middle frame was taken by the Habs 5-4 at the Bell Centre on October 28. Rick Nash and Brady Skjei have 2 goals each in the series, Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello have one each. Henrik Lundqvist won the first game stopping all 34 shots faced. Ondrej Pavelec suffered the loss stopping 48 of 53 shots.
Montreal who has been having a similar season ast the Rangers have not had a win in their last five games and sits in 6th place in the Atlantic. Brendan Gallagher leads the team in goals with 21 goals while Max Pacioretty leads in points with 35.
GAME DAY TEAM LEADERS
Rangers
POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 43
GOALS: Michael Grabner 25
ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 33
Canadiens
POINTS: Max Pacioretty 35
GOALS: Brendan Gallagher 21
ASSISTS: Alex Galchenyuk 22
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