The New York Rangers (13-11-2) are on a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday, as they prepare to host the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-7-2), who have won six straight games following their 6-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings. The matinee matchup at Madison Square Garden drops the puck at 2 p.m. ET.
New York overcame a sluggish start against Boston, erupting for four goals in the second period, including two power-play tallies from Mika Zibanejad. Artemi Panarin was the star with a goal and three assists, pushing his season total to 26 points. Igor Shesterkin made 19 saves in the win, his third straight victory while allowing two or fewer goals in each.
The Rangers’ defense has been stout lately, allowing just two goals per game during the streak. Panarin leads the team with 26 points (8G-18A), while Zibanejad tops the goal chart with nine, including six on the power play. Adam Fox has 25 points (3G-22A), ranking second among NHL defensemen.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, rode Yanni Gourde’s two goals to victory in Detroit, with Andrei Vasilevskiy stopping 33 shots. The Lightning have been firing on all cylinders, outscoring opponents 30-12 during their streak. Nikita Kucherov is expected to play despite recent questions, and the team could see returns from injured stars like Victor Hedman and Brayden Point, though both are game-time decisions.
Jonas Johansson is projected to start for the Lightning, potentially giving Vasilevskiy rest after Friday’s outing. For the Rangers, Igor Shesterkin is likely to go again, but Dylan Garand could make his NHL debut if needed.
How to Watch
• TV: MSG, NHL Network
• Radio: ESPN 1050 AM, SN1
Projected Rangers Lines
Forwards:
• J.T. Miller – Mika Zibanejad – Alexis Lafreniere
• Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Will Cuylle
• Brett Berard – Noah Laba – Jonny Brodzinski
• Adam Edstrom – Sam Carrick – Taylor Raddysh
Defense:
• Vladislav Gavrikov – Adam Fox
• Carson Soucy – Braden Schneider
• Matthew Robertson – Scott Morrow
Goalie: Igor Shesterkin (expected)
Projected Lightning Lines
Forwards:
• Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Nikita Kucherov
• Jake Guentzel – Nick Paul – Gage Goncalves
• Zemgus Girgensons – Yanni Gourde – Pontus Holmberg
• Dominic James – Curtis Douglas – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Defense:
• J.J. Moser – Darren Raddysh
• Charle-Edouard D’Astous – Emil Lilleberg
• Declan Carlile – Steven Santini
Goalie: Jonas Johansson (expected)
Special Teams Breakdown
• Rangers Power Play: 20.0% (17th in NHL)
• Rangers Penalty Kill: 78.5% (22nd in NHL)
• Lightning Power Play: 25.0% (8th in NHL)
• Lightning Penalty Kill: 88.5% (1st in NHL)
Key Game Notes
The Lightning have had the upper hand recently, going 9-10-1 in their last 20 meetings with the Rangers, but New York holds a 63-52-5-9 all-time record including playoffs. Tampa Bay dominated last season’s series, but the Rangers are 5-0-0 when Will Cuylle scores this year, and he’s on a three-game point streak.
New York is 2-2-1 in back-to-backs this season and leads the NHL in hits (677) while ranking fourth in faceoff win percentage (53.6%). Their goalies boast a .909 save percentage, second in the league.
Artemi Panarin is four points shy of 900 career points and has 19 points in his last 12 games. Nikita Kucherov, if he plays, leads Tampa Bay in scoring and has historically tormented the Rangers.
The Lightning’s penalty kill has been elite, allowing just three power-play goals in their last 15 games (92.1% efficiency). Tampa Bay’s goaltending tandem has posted a .911 team save percentage, third in the NHL.
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