Rangers are finally back in action tonight (WPG at NYR 7pm)
Dan Girardi is ready to ground the Jets tonight at MSG (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)
Whoa that was a long layoff between games! Usually that spells doom for most teams as they spend a period shaking off the rust and finding their skating legs. Fortunately for the Rangers, they play an opponent that they can get away with doing that.
Game 10: Winnipeg Jets at New York Rangers, Madison Squate Garden 7PM
Daily Faceoff’s Goalie Matchup
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Jets at NYR via Daily Faceoff
RANGERS TO WATCH
The Duke of New York, Anthony Duclair 10.27.14
1. Anthony Duclair – I’m keenly interested to see how Alain Vigneault deploys the kid tonight. He’s done it all for the Rangers and now has his 1st NHL goal in his pocket. Does that relieve pressure? Will he start scoring more? A lot will depend on how AV utilizes him tonight.
2. Mike Kostka – Here’s what I expect, a very tepid game focused more on not screwing up and making mistakes. I fully expect Kostka to play 10 minutes or less if this game is close. A blowout in either direction is the only way he breaks 15 minutes.
3. Martin St. Louis – Purely a gut feel here. His shooting percentage is a measly 7%, it’s almost double for his career. Which means just like Zucc, the puck is going to start to go in.
EYE ON THE ENEMY
Evander Kane (WPG)
1. Evander Kane – He just came back from a knee injury that occurred in game 1 of the season. The Rangers may luck out if he’s still trying to shake off the rust. Otherwise, he’s a real danger with the puck. FYI: He likes playing at the Garden, he has 3 points in his last two visits.
2. Bryan Little – He always flies under the radar but is an effective player for the Jets. Little has 9 points in 10 games for Winnipeg and the puck is going in for him right now as he is shooting 8 points better than his career shooting % of 12.5.
3. Dustin Byfuglien – I always look for good players who are struggling to see if they will finally play to their ability. Big Buff may just be that guy tonight. With only 3 points in 10 games as a RW this season, how long before they put him back on the blue-line where he belongs?
FULLTILT FORECAST
The Forecast has done a decent job of predicting wins and losses this season with a record of 6-3. Let’s add another one in the win column tonight for the Blueshirts.
I’m going 4-1 with an empty-netter for Marty St. Louis to seal the deal tonight.
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