Back to back, and gunning for four in a row. The Flames leave Jersey on a high and head to the big city to take on the Rangers.
some Rangers-heavy table setting (
www.calgarysun.com)
Quote:
The Rangers are sweating through a miserable stretch, with just three wins in the past month. They might have bottomed out in Wednesday’s 6-1 drubbing from the Boston Bruins, their fourth straight setback. “That was one of the worst games of my career and one of the worst games I’ve ever been a part of in my Rangers career,” captain Ryan McDonagh told reporters after the lopsided loss. Star netminder Henrik Lundqvist, yanked after allowing four goals on 16 shots, summed it up as “disappointing, frustrating and embarrassing.”
There was little doubt the Rangers would be sellers at the Feb. 26 trade deadline and team president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton essentially confirmed it Thursday in a letter to fans: “ As we approach the trade deadline later this month and into the summer, we will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character. This may mean we lose some familiar faces, guys we all care about and respect. While this is part of the game, it’s never easy. Our promise to you is that our plans will be guided by our singular commitment: Ensuring we are building the foundation for our next Stanley Cup contender.”
So … which Rangers should have a suitcase ready as deadline-day approaches? It’s been reported that right-winger Rick Nash has submitted his list of approved destinations under his no-trade clause, while speedster Michael Grabner — he currently leads the team with 21 goals — has also been a popular name in the rumour mill. On Thursday, the Rangers dangled defenceman Brendan Smith, signed last summer to a four-year deal worth US$17.4-million, on waivers.
The Flames don’t have a lot of fond memories at Madison Square Garden. In fact, they’ve lost five in a row in the Rangers’ home rink, including four in regulation. Their last triumph on Broadway was back on Dec. 7, 2008, when Miikka Kiprusoff was between the pipes and Mike Keenan was behind the bench. Kiprusoff pitched a 29-save shutout that night, while forwards Jarome Iginla, David Moss and Rene Bourque — now an alternate captain for Canada’s Olympic team — provided the offence.
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Lineups (
www.dailyfaceoff.com)
FLAMES
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Brouwer
Lomberg - Stajan - Hathaway
Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone
Smith
RANGERS
Nash - Zibanejad - Zuccarello
Miller - Desharnais - Fast
Grabner - Hayes - Lettieri
McLeod -Holland - Carey
McDonagh - Pionk
Skjei - Kampfer
Holden - DeAngelo
Lundqvist
By reputation, New York City is the home of the mean streets. By all accounts, it looks like the pWo can take care of themselves:
Go Flams