Oilers/Rangers Preview: Is This Jagr's Last Trip to the Hartland of Hockey?

The 20-17-4 New York Rangers come into Rexall Place Saturday looking to pick up two points from a struggling and injured Oilers squad who are now 17-21-4 in 42 games.

These two teams have not met in Edmonton for some time—in fact, their last matchup took place on Jan. 2, 2002, a game which Edmonton won 4-1.

The Rangers have lost both games on their western Canadian road trip so far.  The Oilers meanwhile are coming home after a tough road trip where they won only once in St. Louis, a victory which ended a six game losing streak.

Edmonton has been bitten by the injury bug this season, most recently with defenceman Sheldon Souray, who reaggravated his shoulder injury and returned from the road trip early. Souray is expected to play—as is Ales Hemsky, who has three career points in two games against the Rangers.

Fans will likely hope that Geoff Sanderson can put some points up on the board for the Oilers, as he has found success against the Rangers in the past, scoring 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 41 career games.

Defenceman Dick Tarnstrom has also had success against New York, scoring 14 points in 17 games, while Joni Pitkaanen has 13 points in 21 career games.
The Rangers meanwhile will be relying on Scott Gomez, who leads the team with 38 points, followed by Jagr with 36 points.

An important question to ask: is this the last time that Oilers fans will see number 68 Jaromir Jagr on Rexall ice?

Jagr has been an Oiler killer over the years— in the 25 games he has played against Edmonton, he's put up 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points.

Drafted by the Penguins in 1990, Jagr has been in the league since the Oilers last won a Stanley Cup. That was a draft year that Oilers fans have probably forgotten, as Edmonton selected winger Scott Allison 17th overall, who went on to play zero games in the NHL.

Who else was drafted that year? Current Oilers winger Geoff Sanderson, and former Oilers Doug Weight, Valeri Zelepukin, and Andri "the Tank" Kovalenko.

Retirement is likely near for Jagr, who can still put the puck in the net. Much will depend on changes to next season's schedule, as it's Jagr's option year of his contract.

Former Oiler farmhand Goalie Stephen Valiquette played in Vancouver—I would expect therefore that Lundqvist will start in Edmonton. Garon played back-to-back to finish the road trip, picking up a win and a loss. It is thus likely that Roloson will start.

Sam Gagner is questionable with the flu; he stayed at the hotel in Nashville.