New York Rangers Pregame: Game 8, Coyotes at Rangers
Duclair returns to the Garden.
Arizona Coyotes' Coverage: Five For Howling
According to Andrew Gross the Rangers' projected lineup for tonight's home game against the Arizona Coyotes looks like this:
Rick Nash-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derick Brassard-Jesper Fast
J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Oscar Lindberg
Viktor Stalberg-Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll
Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
The Rangers will be going for their fifth win of the season tonight and they will see a familiar face on the ice at the Garden while they do it. Former Rangers prospect Anthony Duclair is currently leading all rookies in the NHL with five goals. Duclair's chemistry with Max Domi has helped the Coyotes come out to an unexpectedly solid start. The Arizona Coyotes are 2-0-1 on the road.
There will be no escaping the Anthony Duclair and Keith Yandle story lines tonight. The Rangers acquired Keith Yandle from the Coyotes on prior to deadline day last season in a deal that sent Anthony Duclair, John Moore, the Rangers' 2016 1st round pick, and the Rangers' 2015 2nd round pick to Arizona in exchange for Yandle, Chris Summers, and the Coyotes' 2015 4th round pick. Through the first seven games of the season Keith Yandle has picked up four assists, which is good for the lead in points among Rangers' blueliners.
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This will also be the New York Rangers' first game since Tanner Glass was put on waivers and subsequently reported to Hartford and the Wolf Pack. Both Chris Kreider and Rick Nash are still searching for their first goals of the season despite both having several close calls in the Rangers' first seven games. Last season Chris Kreider scored three goals in two games against the Coyotes and Nash scored in one of the two games that the Rangers won against the Coyotes last season.
As impressive as the Coyotes' start to the season has been, no one is really expecting them to continue to produce offensively. Early in the season the Coyotes are averaging 3.00 G/G despite being out-shot by an average of six shots per game and having the inconsistent and often erratic Mike Smith in net. Is tonight the night when the Coyotes good fortune and unexpectedly strong play on the road comes to an end?
The Rangers will be looking to improve their record on home ice to 3-1-1 after shutting the San Jose Sharks out 4-0 on Monday night thanks to an outstanding performance by Antti Raanta. Tonight the puck drops at the Garden at 7:00 PM. The Rangers next game will be on the road against the Flyers on Saturday night.
Thanks for reading. Let's go Rangers.
