Rangers vs. Jets: 3 things to watch for facing best of the West
After a massive blown opportunity this past weekend, the New York Rangers open up an important three-game road trip Tuesday in Winnipeg when they skate against the Jets at Canada Life Centre.
That’s not exactly a soft landing spot for the Rangers (31-27-6), who’ve dropped three straight (0-1-2) after losing to the two teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference playoff race on consecutive days Saturday and Sunday. The Jets (44-17-4) lead the Western Conference and are tied with the Washington Capitals for most points in the NHL with 92.
Perhaps the Rangers are catching the Jets at the right time, however. The Jets just returned from an East Coast trip and are 2-3-1 in their past six games since a franchise-record 11-game winning streak.
Or maybe that’s wishful thinking. The Jets have been a powerhouse all season, allowing the fewest goals in the NHL (2.32 per game) and scoring the third most (3.49). Their goal differential is whopping +76, far and away the best in the League. By contrast, the Rangers are -2 after losing 4-3 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and 7-3 on home ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
The Rangers are ninth in the East, two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card and three back of the Senators for the top wild-card spot.
New York is trying to avoid being swept in the season series after losing 6-3 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12. The Jets are 4-0-1 in their past five games against the Rangers; but the Rangers have won seven of their past 10 visits to Canada Life Centre.
Related: Should Alexis Lafreniere be playing for his Rangers future down stretch of season
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Jets
1. Bounce back
If the Rangers weren’t resilient, they would’ve just caved after that 4-15-0 stretch in November and December. They didn’t and are now in the thick of the playoff race with 18 games to play in the regular season.
That’s relevant because the Rangers were kicked in the teeth twice last weekend. First, they blew a pair of two-goals leads, including one midway through the third period, in losing to the Senators. Then they somehow got blown out 7-3 by the Blue Jackets after tying the game in the second period with a pair of short-handed goals on the same penalty kill. Who does that?
The Rangers need to leave that all in the past and focus on playing a tight, smart game against an elite opponent Tuesday. A big bounce-back win in the ‘Peg would do wonders for the Rangers.
2. Not-so-welcoming hosts
The Jets have treated visitors rather rudely at Canada Life Centre this season. They are an imposing 23-5-4 on home ice and own a six-game point streak at home (5-0-1). They’ve lost only twice in regulation in their past 20 home games (14-2-4).
On the flip side, the Rangers are 15-13-3 away from MSG this season, but have points in four of their past five road games (3-1-1).
Also, to keep in mind for the Rangers, it would behoove them to get a lead and keep it. The Jets are 27-3- when scoring first, 25-0-3 when leading after the first period and 34-0-1 when leading after two periods. They’re the only team not to lose in regulation this season when leading after 40 minutes.
3. Revolving door on third line
Arthur Kaliyev returns to the Rangers lineup Tuesday. his first game action after being a healthy scratch the past seven games. He replaces Brett Berard, who played against Columbus. Berard had replaced Juuso Parssinen, who played four games after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade but was scratched after being a minus-2 against Ottawa.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette is looking for the right fit on that line after moving center Sam Carrick up from the fourth line and Chris Kreider’s return from injury this past weekend.
Kaliyev has four points (three goals, one assist) in 13 games with the Rangers. He has one goal in his past games played.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – J.T. Miller- Zibanejad
Kreider – Carrick – Kaliyev
Othmann – Brodzinski – Rempe
K. Miller – Borgen
Vaakanaien – Schneider
Soucy – Jones
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Jets: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets
When: Tuesday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Canada Life Centre
How to watch: MSG
More About:New York Rangers News