Rangers vs. Avalanche: 3 things to watch for as Western swing continues
For the first time in nearly two months, the New York Rangers are on a winning streak following an overtime home win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and an impressive 2-1 grinder of a win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
It’s their first winning streak since putting together three in a row against the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks from Nov. 14-19. The Rangers were 4-15-0 in their subsequent 19 games after that streak amidst a turbulent stretch that resulted in trades of Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. But they appear to be showing signs of turning it around while jockeying through a crowded field in the Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The latest positive sign was Saturday when Adam Edstrom scored the game-winner on a tip-in, giving the fourth line a second straight game-winning goal. Edstrom’s strong play in front of the net occurred on a night when Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves — and was aided by a defense that did not leave him under siege, as it had many games during the slide.
Another tough game awaits the Rangers (20-20-2) on Tuesday against the Avalanche (26-17-1), who boast the League’s top scorer in Nathan MacKinnon (68 points) and fourth-leading scorer in Mikko Rantanen (60 points). MacKinnon has 13 points in his past nine games, though only one goal, and Rantanen recently scored in five straight games.
Colorado’s 53 points are eight behind the Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division, and they currently hold the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Rangers are facing another top-10 offense as the Avalanche are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the fifth-most goals (146).
The Rangers are in the midst of an improved defensive showing by blocking 21 shots in each of their past two games and are 4-1-1 in their past six. It is a small sample but has changed the mood of the club from a few weeks ago heading into another difficult test.
Like the Rangers, the Avalanche endured a slide this season but it occurred in the opening weeks. Colorado dropped its first four games and split its first 18 before getting over .500.
Colorado is 13-5-0 in its past 18 contests thanks to a run of 10 wins in 12 games from Dec. 7-Jan. 2. Since then, the Avalanche are 2-2-1 in their past five and coming off getting blanked for the second time when they were held to 22 shots on goal in a 3-0 loss at Winnipeg on Saturday.
Related: Igor Shesterkin, Rangers defense on ‘one page right now’
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Avalanche
1. Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil expected to return from injury absences
Chris Kreider seems more of a certainty to return after missing four games due to an upper-body injury.
Kreider’s game slightly had picked up before going on injured reserve as he scored his 13th goal in the 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Jan 4. He has points in three straight games for the first time all season and registered only three points in his previous 13 games from Nov. 21-Dec. 28, a stretch that coincided with his name being included general manager Chris Drury’s trade memo, a three-game absence due to a back injury and a healthy scratch Dec. 23 at New Jersey.
Chytil also practiced after missing two games with an upper-body injury he sustained in the second period last week against the Dallas Stars, though he did not confirm if he was playing Tuesday. Chytil said his injury was not another concussion, and he was a full participant in practice centering the third line with Kreider and newcomer Arthur Kaliyev, and spending time on the second power-play unit.
Chytil has scored goals in three of his past four games, including a two-goal showing against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan 5.
2. A resurgent Mika Zibanejad
While the Rangers are starting to win because of some improved defense, Mika Zibanejad is starting to pick it up offensively. He had the primary assist on Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal Saturday and has two goals and four assists in a modest six-game point streak.
Before this six-game stretch, Zibanejad went eight games without a point — and the Rangers lost six of those games. Perhaps in a big sign of their defensive woes, the center was on the ice for eight even-strength goals against, leading to calls for Zibanejad’s removal from the lineup.
That’s not the case recently. And on Tuesday, he’s expected to center a line with Will Cuylle and Reilly Smith on the wings.
3. Somewhat familiar face in opposing goal
If the Rangers faced the Avalanche earlier this season, they might be going against Alexandar Georgiev, who previously backed up Henrik Lundqvist and Shesterkin in New York. Georgiev was traded to the Avalanche for three draft picks in July 2022 and led the NHL in wins in his first two seasons with Colorado. But he posted a .874 save percentage before getting traded to the San Jose Sharks last month for former Devils goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.
Blackwood is 8-2-1 with a 1.66 GAA in 11 games since the trade and has not allowed more than two goals in any of his appearances with the Avalanche.
When he previously played for the Devils, Blackwood was 6-9-0 with a 3.60 GAA and .889 save percentage in 16 games against the Rangers.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Zibanejad – Smith
Kreider – Chytil – Kaliyev
Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Avalanche: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Colorado Avalanche
When: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Ball Arena
How to watch: MSG
More About:New York Rangers News
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