Struggling New York Rangers Meet Avalanche in Colorado (Update: Johnson Starts)

Now sitting in 12th in the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers are currently on a five-game losing streak heading into tonight’s tilt with the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Last night, the Blueshirts fell short of a third period comeback in Phoenix where they were defeated 3-2 by the Coyotes. Once the opposition hits three goals, you can pretty much count the Rangers out—prime example on Saturday. Things will not get any easier tonight with the up and coming Avalanche.

It seems like everyone is now talking about Matt Duchene and the rebuilt Avs, as they are sixth in the Western Conference at the moment. Colorado has dropped two straight games entering tonight’s match, but have won six of their last 10.

They have received a lot of help from goaltender Craig Anderson, who is likely to get the start against the Rangers. Not a good sign for the boys in white being that they cannot score goals and now have to face one of the hottest netminders in the National Hockey League.

Rangers Projected Lineup

Callahan - Prospal -Gaborik
Dubinsky - Drury - Christensen
Higgins - Anisimov - Lisin
Avery - Boyle - Voros

Staal - Rozsival
Del Zotto - Girardi
Redden - Gilroy

Johnson (CONFIRMED)

Scratches: Ales Kotalik, Donald Brashear

No confirmation on who will start in goal for the Rangers just yet. As we were made aware prior to puck drop last night, Henrik Lundqvist has been overcome by the flu bug and had to leave the bench in Phoenix. My guess would be that Chad Johnson will get the nod for the second consecutive tilt.

Johnson, aside from the early jitters, was solid last night and made some stellar saves. I will be sure to have confirmation on the site when it comes.

I do not know how much I can stress this, but it is essential that the Blueshirts get off to a fast start in the game. They cannot afford to go down a goal early in this game, it is that simple. This team cannot play catch-up hockey because we have seen them fail while attempting to do so all season long. Read about this growing problem in my article from earlier today.

We will see how Marian Gaborik will go about building on his slump-snapping tally last night in Phoenix. Any frustration that Gaborik had built up in his head up until that point hopefully was released once that puck hit the back o the net, because the Rangers need him now more than ever.

Avalanche Projected Lineup

Wolski - Stastny - Stewart
Svatos - Duchene - Yip
Galiardi - O'Reilly - Tucker
Stoa - Durno - McLeod

Quincey - Hannan
Liles - Wilson
Cumiskey - Foote

Anderson

In-game updates as well as goaltending decision at twitter.com/RangersTribune .

Update: It has now been confirmed that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (stomach flu) will not be up to playing tonight in Denver, leaving rookie Chad Johnson to fill in against the Avalanche.