Game #29: New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins Open Thread

After knocking off one of the league’s worst teams 24 hours ago, the Blueshirts are back in action against one of the NHL’s best, the Boston Bruins. The circumstances are similar to the last time the Rangers and Bruins clashed in November, as each team currently leads its respective division and are near the top of the league wide standings. New York’s 20-7-1 record is good for second best in the Eastern Conference and third best in the league, but trails Boston’s 19-5-4 mark by a single point entering the contest.

The Rangers won the first meeting of the season series by a 7-4 margin at Madison Square Garden, but the scene will be shipping up to Boston when the puck drops at TD Garden tonight. Peter Laviolette’s squad is highly unlikely to have a drastic change in opponent quality game over game as they will going from Anaheim last night to Boston tonight the rest of the season. The Bruins also played last night, rallying past the New York Islanders and winning in a shootout, so tired legs will be a factor for both teams tonight.

Player to Watch: Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin has had a rough go of things as of late, ceding 15 goals against over his last three games, including six his last time out against Toronto on Tuesday. Shesterkin’s .902 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average are among the numbers that paint the picture of the pedestrian season New York’s franchise netminder is having, and tonight will be a bounce back opportunity. Keep an eye on Shesterkin as he does his best to keep the small piece of vulcanized rubber the skaters pass to each other out of the back of his net.

Enjoy the game!