Rangers look to Antti up and keep Lundqvist fresh to start playoffs
NYR light up MTL (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Rangers PP blitzed the Canadiens last night in Montreal and earned backup Antti Raanta his 6th win in his last 7 starts. His goals against average has been a rock solid 2.00 over that span with a save percentage over 930. Not so bad after his horrible start against L.A. in February.
Before the game Alain Vigneault praised his backup. “Ever since that L.A. game, he’s given us a chance to win every game. He’s given us some big saves, key saves at the right time, and that’s what you want from a goaltender.”
Now with just 7 games remaining before the Rangers next epic push to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup, it’s likely that Raanta could start at least 2-3 more times. April 2nd the Rangers host Buffalo followed by a match up in Columbus. Expect Raanta to get one of those. Should the Rangers have a spot locked and possibly home ice for the 1st round, Raanta will certainly get one of the final two games against the Islanders or Red Wings (maybe both?).
#NYR strike first on this beauty from J.T.! pic.twitter.com/Uq8mE06A3I
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 26, 2016
Vigneault’s charges have now won three in a row and will face the red-hot Penguins tonight. So we will see just how well they are clicking. Henrik Lundqvist will no doubt get the start in what will likely be a preview of the Rangers 1st round match-up.
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