Game Thread 2/5: Rangers vs Calgary Flames
Hockey is for everyone.
This Superbowl Sunday the Rangers will host the Calgary Flames who come into the Garden riding a three-game winning streak. However, Calgary is 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. They have a tenuous grip on the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They're a team that needs to win more hockey games on the road.
Some NYR Super Bowl predictions: Pats fan Hayes: 38-3; Zibanejad: Falcons 37-33; Steelers fan J.T. Miller: "Anybody but Brady."
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) February 4, 2017
Antti Raanta is back with the team after the birth of his daughter, but it will once again be Henrik Lundqvist in net for the Rangers. Kevin Hayes is still out of the lineup with his injury and yesterday Brandon Pirri and Adam Clendening skated as the Rangers' extra defense in practice.
Which means that Oscar Lindberg will once again draw into the Blueshirts' lineup.
Flames' point leaders:
- Mikael Backlund 35 points (15|20)
- Sean Monahan 34 points (19|15)
- Johnny Gaudreau 34 points (11|23)
The Rangers might be getting Hayes back as soon as Tuesday, which will likely bump Lindberg out of the lineup again considering how good Matt Puempel has looked. The Rangers' abundance of forwards is something to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. Faceoff specialist Vernon Fiddler was recently traded from the Devils to the Predators for a fourth round pick.
Vigneault says @KevinPHayes12 is "very, very close to coming back," but won't play tomorrow. #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 4, 2017
The Rangers are expected to roll with the same lines they had in Buffalo.
If you're celebrating the Super Bowl tonight have fun but please be safe and responsible. Get home safe and enjoy the game.
Let's go Rangers.