Saturday, January 19, 2008

Rangers vs. Bruins Preview


Today the New York Rangers (22-20-5) visit the Boston Bruins (22-18-5). Since losing a season-high five straight, the Rangers have rebounded to win two of their last three games. Leading the way offensively in victories over Montreal and Buffalo has been the line of Brandon Dubinsky, Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes. The Rangers had won eight straight against the Bruins before losing the first meeting this season, 1-0 in a shootout at Boston on Oct. 20. New York hasn't lost in regulation to the Bruins since March 4, 2004. The Bruins dropped their third straight home game Thursday, 3-2 in a shootout to Toronto. The Bruins were short-handed Thursday as they played without injured forwards Patrice Bergeron, P.J. Axelsson, Peter Schaefer and Glen Murray and defenseman Andrew Alberts. With several top forwards out, Boston's defensemen have played more of an offensive role lately. Chara has two goals and seven assists in his last seven games while Dennis Wideman has two goals and two assists in that span. The teams conclude the home-and-home set Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

...the Rangers seem to be turning a corner, winning two out of three. If we're to believe this team can make a real run at the playoffs, they're going to have to sweep this home and home with Boston.

...no surprise, but the recent strong play has coincided with Lundqvist finally starting to look like the Lundqvist of earlier this season.

...the third line has carried us recently (I can't believe I just typed that), but now its time for the big dogs to step up.

...the Bruins are a little banged up so hopefully we can take advantage of a depleted lineup.

...I'll have more later.

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