Rangers vs. Ducks: 3 things to watch for in 1st meeting since Jacob Trouba trade
The New York Rangers should be refreshed and rejuvenated when they visit the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Friday.
The Rangers (34-32-6) have played just one game in five days since arriving on the West Coast on Sunday, a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. They had a complete day off after that, practiced Thursday and now play back-to-back games against the Ducks and San Jose Sharks this weekend.
They should be well-rested and motivated. Despite their loss Tuesday, the Rangers haven’t lost any ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, remaining one point behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card. The Canadiens, Islanders and Detroit Red Wings each lost games with the Rangers idle.
Losers of four of their past five games, the Rangers will have a little extra motivation — or get some extra juice — from playing against their former captain Jacob Trouba for the first time since he was traded to the Ducks in early December.
Whatever it takes to get the Rangers off to a fast start for a change would be a welcome change. After brutal starts against the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks last week, the Rangers mustered two shots on goal against the stifling Kings defense Tuesday.
To their credit, the Rangers ended up playing a pretty solid game, especially 5v5, against the Kings. They id allow two power-play goals and were 0-for-3 on their own power play, the difference in the game.
The Rangers are 10-2-1 in their past 13 games against the Ducks and won seven of eight, including a 2-1 victory at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27.
The Ducks (31-32-8) are coming off a 6-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday and are 3-2-1 in their past six games.
WATCH: latest RINK RAP podcast — Torts or Lavi better choice to coach Rangers?
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Ducks
1. Trouba reunion
Trouba will face the Rangers for the first time since packing his bags the first week in December, when he was traded to the Ducks. He was not a favorite of Rangers fans at the end, and general manager Chris Drury was desperate to unload is $8 million AAV through next season. But Trouba was well-respected in the Rangers dressing room and a favorite among the players, despite the messy divorce.
So, there’ll be some emotion out on the ice Friday. Because of his robust physical style, Trouba may quickly become an on-ice enemy. You know he’s going to be fired up for this one.
The Rangers are 21-22-5 and alive in the East playoff race since trading Trouba. The Ducks are 21-20-5 and have improved since the deal, but will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season.
Don’t forget, the Ducks also have a pair of popular former Rangers forwards on their roster — Frank Vatrano (team-high 20 goals) and Ryan Strome (39 points).
2. Style points not important, standings points are
It doesn’t matter right now how they do it, the Rangers simply must find a way to leave Honda Center with two points. Sure, the Ducks are an improved team, but the Rangers need to be desperate, impose their will land prove they are worthy of a playoff spot.
A fast start would be nice. Cleaner play defensively and more sustained pressure offensively would be welcome too. Scoring from Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere? You bet.
But the how is a bit less important right now than the final result. A playoff berth is there for the taking. Take it.
3. Be special
The Rangers lost the special teams battle badly Tuesday and thus lost a close game to the Kings. Each of the special teams is in a funk now, including a brutal 1-for-26 stretch on the power play and seven power-play goals allowed in the past eight games on the penalty kill.
But the Ducks special teams units are among the worst in the NHL. They’re 31st out of 32 teams on the power play (12.4 percent) and 29th in the NHL on the PK (72.7 percent). The Ducks have allowed at least one power-play goal in each of their past seven games.
That sounds like an open invitation for the Rangers to finally get their special teams to be difference makers again, as they were each of the past three seasons.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Othmann
Lafreniere – J.T. Miller- Brodzinski
Kreider – Zibanejad – Cuylle
Berard – Carrick – Aube-Kubel
Soucy – Fox
K. Miller – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs.Ducks: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks
When: Friday March 28 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Honda Center
How to watch: MSG2
More About:New York Rangers News