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Rangers vs. Maple Leafs Open Game Thread

The Rangers are seeking their first win against the Maple Leafs in their third and final meeting of the season.

Shayna Goldman

— 1 min read




The New York Rangers (25-20-5, 55 points) return from the All-Star Break to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (29-18-5, 63 points) at Madison Square Garden. It's their third and final matchup of the 2017-18 regular season. The Maple Leafs have won both of their previous meetings this season, winning 8-5 in Toronto on October 7, and 3-2 on December 23 in New York.

Before the break, the Rangers traveled out west for a four-game road trip. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks, before collecting a 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The Maple Leafs are on a three-game winning streak, that began before the break in Chicago and Dallas, and continued in their first game back against the Islanders last night. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped all 28 of the Islanders' shots he faced and led his team to a 5-0 victory.

Curtis McElhinney is expected to start in net for the visitors, on the second night of back-to-back games for the Maple Leafs. He's collected a record of 4-4-0 so far this season, a 0.925 save percentage in all situations, a 2.08 goals saved above average at 5-on-5.

Henrik Lundqvist is the expected starter for the Rangers after representing the Rangers at the 2018 All-Star Game. Through 42 games, he's earned a 21-13-4 record, 0.922 save percentage, and 9.11 5-on-5 goals saved above average.

Only one lineup change is expected tonight – Cody McLeod entering the lineup in place of Paul Carey. The Rangers claimed McLeod off waivers from the Nashville Predators, and he's set to make his Rangers' debut tonight. The 32-year-old has two points (one goal, one assist) in 23 games with the Predators this season. Carey, on the other hand, has 12 points in 37 games with the Blueshirts.

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