Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Rangers vs. Lightning Preview

Tonight the New York Rangers (20-17-5) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-22-5). The Rangers ended a three-game western Canada road trip with only one point after losing 3-2 in a shootout to Edmonton on Saturday and look to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season tonight. The Rangers hopes to get back on track against the Lightning, who have the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and are 3-14-3 on the road. The Rangers have won three in a row in the series, including both meetings this season. The Lightning, losers of 10 of their last 11 (1-8-2), are looking to snap a season-high seven-game losing streak (0-5-2). They haven't lost eight in a row since a 10-game slide from Jan. 12-29, 2001. For a full recap go to Yahoo! Sports.

...even with the lowly Lightning in town the Rangers are going to have to dig deep to get a victory with Straka and most likely Shanahan out of the lineup tonight.

...the Lightning are getting shaky goaltending at best with Johan Holmqvist, 0-5-2 with a 5.02 GAA in his last seven starts, and Karri Ramo, 0-4-1 with a 3.66 GAA in his last five.

...looking for Dawes and Moore to step up and show that they belong on this team. They have both been given chances this year with mixed results.

...Jagr had a nice little groove going for about two weeks, but has been absent in the last two games, so I'm hoping to see a nice bounce back game from him.

...bottom line is this team needs a win. If they take the Lightning lightly they will lose, especially with Lecavalier and St. Louis in the lineup.

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