Saturday, January 12, 2008

Rangers vs. Canadiens Preview

Tonight the New York Rangers (20-19-5) look to end a 5 game losing streak when they host the Montreal Canadiens (22-13-8). The Rangers rallied to beat Montreal 4-3 in overtime on Dec. 30 for their third consecutive home win over the Canadiens. That victory also ran their overall winning streak to three games, during which they scored 14 goals to end 2007. They have opened the new year by scoring only 10 goals in dropping five in a row (0-4-1) while falling to the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens, winners of five of their last seven games (5-0-2), are looking to build on a 5-2 win at Boston on Thursday that opened a four-game road trip. Alexei Kovalev, who had a goal and an assist against the Bruins, has been a big part of Montreal's surge over the last seven games, scoring four goals and assisting on six others. The right wing leads the team with 19 goals and 41 points after getting 18 and 47, respectively, last season. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

...ok boys, lets get back to basics tonight. Let's play hard for 60 minutes, shoot the puck and play solid defense.

...looks like Kovalev has the hot hand right now for the Canadiens so let's make sure we don't play the same defense that we played against Gaborik.

...bottom line is we need our best players to step it up. Yeah, I'm talking to you Mr. Jagr. You had a nice little stretch, but you need to get over what ever is bothering you and put this team on your back.

...haven't seen anything online stating who will be in goal tonight for the Rangers, but, even with his poor play of late, it has to be Lundqvist. I don't think Valiquette has a chance aginst the high scoring Canadiens.

...not to pile on the bad news befalling this team lately, but with the Islanders shootout win last night the Rangers have now fallen into last place in the Atlantic Division.

...I'll have updates and line combinations later.

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