Rangers Pregame: Scouting the Nucks'
Tonight at 10 p.m. the Rangers will face-off against the Vancouver Canucks for the first of three games on this Wes Coast trip. Let's take a look at tonight's opponent the Vancouver Canucks.
Head Coach: Alain Vigneault
Record: 8-7-0 (7th in Western Conference)
Last Year vs. Rangers: 1-0 ( The Canucks beat the Rangers pretty badly, 6-3. Interesting note here but this was one of the first games where I started to become fed up with Tom Renney, yes it took this long. Stick Salute to Todd Williams for correcting my original mistake on last year's score.)
SBNation home of the Canucks: Nucks Misconduct
Leading Scorer:
Things to watch for:
- The Rangers haven't beaten the Canucks at home since 1997. Although that stat is kind of skewed because only for the past few years has the schedule called for every team to play each other. Still kinda weird that it has been over 12 years since the Rangers saw their last W.
- More information about the Canucks can be seen here, a great story from our good friends over at Nucks Misconduct.
- Another special teams match-up to look at here. The Rangers are 7th on the power play going against the Canucks abysmal 22nd on the penalty kill. While the Canucks 5th ranked power play will fight against the Rangers 4th ranked penalty kill.
- My John Madden obvious comment of the night? Whoever wins the special teams battle will have a good shot at winning this game. /
Tonight is a big test for the Rangers. Expect Henrik Lundqvistto start in goal tonight against a pretty banged up Vancouver Canucks team. I think Roberto Luongo is still injured and will probably miss tonight's game. Good news for the Rangers.
Also I'm gonna make a player predition here. Chris Higgins bangs his first goal of the season home. Remember you heard it here first.
Should be a good one. Make sure to join us in the live chat. And if you aren't already be sure to follow Jim and I on twitter.
@Joe_Fortunato
@BlueshirtBanter
See you later!
