Rangers look to replicate last performance, host Maple Leafs
On Tuesday, the New York Rangers will look to build on their impressive performance in their last contest as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a much-needed bounce back game for the Rangers, who took down the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on home ice. The goal for New York is to come up with a similar performance as they look to start up a new win streak.
“I thought it was exactly what we needed to do,” Peter Laviolette explained. “For me, just a really good start to finish game.”
The Maple Leafs have had a solid start to this season as they currently sit with a record of 14-6-5. However, they are coming off an overtime loss last night to the New York Islanders. This is an advantage for the Rangers, as they will be skating on fresh legs as opposed to Toronto, who may tire out as the game goes on.
These two teams were evenly matched last season, going 1-1-1 against each other. In the last five meetings, the Rangers are 2-2-1.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (19-6-1) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (14-6-5)
Date/Time: December 12, 2023 @ 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: MSG, MSGSN
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Note: Subject to change, updated for each game
Related: Rangers and Igor Shesterkin should take advantage of Quick’s hot goaltending
New York Rangers projected lineup
After Sunday’s dominating 4-1 win over the Kings, the Rangers’ lineup is expected to look the same. One question mark surrounding the team involves goaltending. Jonathan Quick continues his exemplary play, while Igor Shesterkin has gone 4-4 since returning from injury, along with a 3.28 GAA and .905% save percentage in that time frame. Nonetheless, he will most likely get the nod. Here are the projected line combinations and pairings:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Wheeler
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Bonino – Brodzinski
Vesey – Goodrow – Pitlick
Lindgren – Fox
Gustafsson – Trouba
Jones – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Note: The Rangers will hold a morning skate at 10:30 AM ET at Madison Square Garden. Check back in for updates
Update: K’Andre Miller out, Igor Shesterkin to start
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
The Rangers are coming off of a great win on Sunday. They will look to continue that style of play against the Maple Leafs. New York will aim to notch their 20th win of the season. Their 19 current wins are tied for the most in the NHL and their 39 points are good enough for second.
Should the Rangers come out with a win against Toronto, they will have tallied 20 wins in fewer than 27 games for the first time in franchise history. The previous record of 28 games is held by the cup-winning 1993-1994 squad.
In the Rangers’ last contest, contributions were made throughout the entire lineup. This is a great sign to see, as the scoring can hopefully continue from all four lines. All four lines contributed as goals were scored by Mika Zibanejad, Jonny Brodzinski, Will Cuylle, and Jimmy Vesey, while Vincent Trocheck had a three-assist night. In addition, Panarin notched another assist, adding to his point streak of 11 games on home ice.
Trocheck has been one of the Rangers’ best as of late. “He’s really doing it all if you think about it,” Laviolette mentioned. “Face-offs, penalty kill, defensive zone, offensive zone, power play. He’s out there in the final seconds of a tight game and certainly a good leader. His physical play, I mean he really brings the whole package and he’s done it consistently the entire year.”
Although Toronto is coming off an overtime loss just one night ago, they are still a very dangerous team. They have four players with 23 points or more and are led by William Nylander with 32. Auston Matthews continues to score at a blazing pace with 18 goals on the season. On defense, Morgan Reilly is having another solid campaign with 18 points.
With Joseph Woll injured and Ilya Samsonov playing against the Islanders, it is possible that Martin Jones gets the nod against the Rangers. He has not played more than ten minutes so far this season. In one relief appearance this season, Jones made 9 saves on 10 shots. This is another area of which the Rangers can take advantage.
The Rangers will look to spark up another win streak against the offensively-driven Toronto Maple Leafs when the puck drops at Madison Square Garden.
Note: On Tuesday, the Rangers will celebrate Garden of Dreams Night.
Rangers Milestones Within Reach
Artemi Panarin is 1 point away from 700 career points.
Chris Kreider is just 1 power play goal away from 100 in his career and tying franchise great Adam Graves for fourth on the team’s all-time power play goal list. His next goal will also tie Graves at 280 for third on the team’s all-time goal list. His next point will be the 500th of his career.
Jacob Trouba is 1 point away from 300 career points.
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