Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Rangers vs. Thrashers Preview

Tonight the New York Rangers (22-21-6) host the Atlanta Thrashers (23-24-3) at MSG. A 2-6-2 record this month has dropped the Rangers into last place in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers would miss the playoffs if the season ended Monday, currently standing ninth in the Eastern Conference. They have managed only 21 goals in 10 games in January while going 5-for-50 on the power play, prompting coach Tom Renney to consider altering his lineup. This is Atlanta's first visit to Madison Square Garden, where these teams also play Thursday, since losing Game 4 of a first-round playoff series last season as New York completed a sweep. However, the Thrashers have won their last three regular-season games there, and five straight overall versus the Rangers. Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa scored in all five of those wins, totaling 10 points in that span, and he enters this matchup with five goals in his last four games overall. Atlanta, though, has been limited to five goals during its current three-game losing streak. Ilya Kovalchuk ended the weekend leading the league with 37 goals, but is on a season-high four-game goal drought. The All-Star left wing hasn't scored in his last three games against the Rangers, but has four goals in his last five games in Manhattan. For a full preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

...the only way to stop all of the trade talks, fire Renney demands and the overall doom and gloom is to go out and win.

...I've been reading the last two days about Renney saying he is going to play those who deserve it, let's see how much ice time the third line gets tonight. I'd also like to see the lines reconfigured with Shanahan's ice time being reduced. No offense to Shanny but he's a step slower this year with his age and injury.

...the Yahoo! Sports game preview mentions the Rangers possibly sitting Lundqvist in favor of Valiquette tonight. Rest isn't going to help Lundqvist. What Lundqvist needs is some competition. The Rangers need to bring up Montoya to see what he's got and let Lundqvist know that if he doesn't step it up soon they have a young capable goaltender ready to take his spot.

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