New York Rangers Game Thread: 12/16, Rangers at Flames
The Rangers seek their fourth consecutive win against Giordano and the Calgary Flames.
Game Twenty-Nine, the New York Rangers at the Calgary Flames
Record: 14-10-4
Rangers vs Flames coverage | NYR roster | Matchsticks and Gasoline
Tonight's game against the Calgary Flames is all about the number 4. The Rangers will be looking for their fourth straight win for the first time in the 2014-15 season, and they'll be looking to rebound after a greasy, ugly win on Sunday night against the desperately bad Edmonton Oilers. The Rangers were flat in Edmonton, they cannot afford to come out flat against the Flames tonight. If not for a fortuitous bounce and a rudderless Oilers team, the Rangers could have easily lost on Sunday night and come into tonight's game feeling very differently about themselves. The Rangers will unfortunately be without Derick Brassard for the second straight game and will be shifting their lines around to try and find where there is a significant offensive spark. Expect plenty of juggling from the Rangers' bench tonight.
The Flames are currently on a 5 game losing streak and are desperate to turn things around and get back to the way they were playing just a little while ago when they were the talk of the Western Conference. Calgary lacks elite players, especially forwards, and their roster is hardly the stuff that strikes fear into your heart. However, don't let that fool you. The Flames work hard, get pucks on the net, and have some outstanding blueliners. The Flames are currently 8-4-2 on home ice. The Rangers are 5-5-1 on the road.
The New York Rangers' December Schedule
12/1 Tampa Bay at the Rangers, 7:00(loss)12/6 Rangers at Detroit, 7:00(loss)12/8 Penguins at Rangers, 7:00(win)12/13 Rangers at Vancouver, 10:00(win)12/14 Rangers at Edmonton, 9:30(win)
12/16 Rangers at Calgary, 9:00
12/20 Rangers at Carolina, 7:00
12/21 Carolina at Rangers, 7:00
12/23 Capitals at Rangers, 7:00
12/27 Devils at Rangers, 7:00
12/29 Rangers at Dallas, 8:30
12/31 Rangers at Florida, 6:00
Mike's Player to Watch: Rick Nash
Rick Nash has been a beast this season and tonight he'll be going up against what might be the most underrated defensive pairing in the NHL in regards to their two-way game. Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie will be matching up against Nash and trying to stop him from scoring a point in his eleventh straight game tonight (yes, eleven straight games). Giordano is the real deal despite the fact that he is by no means a household name. If you aren't into the fancy stats just take a look at what kind of offensive numbers he has put up and understand that he is the most valuable player on a Calgary Flames team that has surprised everyone in the hockey world. Nash will have to work hard to help make things happen in the offensive zone for the Rangers tonight, and they are going to need him more than ever with Derick Brassard out of the picture with the mumps.
Let's go Rangers! Make it 4 in a row! Enjoy the game and the thread