NHL Game Night: New York Rangers Seek to Extend Winning Streak Against Flames

When I think of the New York Rangers and the start of their season, the motion picture film Major League pops into my mind. After finally winning a game after a string of losses, manager Lou Brown enters the clubhouse and addresses the club.

Brown says, 

"

Listen up, fellas; we won a game yesterday. If we win a game today, that's two in a row, and if we win another one tomorrow, it's called a winning streak. Yes it has happened before so lets show some hustle, lets jack it up !"

"

In recent memory, how many games can you recall that the Rangers outshot their opponent but lost the game? It seemed to happen all too often last season. The exact opposite occurred late Tuesday night early Wednesday morning for the Blueshirts. They put 19 goals on net and got four past Roberto Luongo.

On the flip side, the Vancouver Canucks put 40 shots on net but failed to put one past “Captain Shutout,” Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist was stellar and stumped Canuck shooters left and right. Had Lundqvist not been on the top of his game, the Rangers probably wouldn’t have defeated Vancouver.

In the first two periods, the Rangers looked sluggish and couldn’t break through the neutral zone in order to develop some sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The Blueshirts also played some very undisciplined hockey, as they took penalty after penalty.

It was clear that the pushup penalty issued by Rangers bench boss John Tortorella during Monday’s practice didn’t clearly sink in with his players. Maybe he will try a new method of instruction at the team’s next practice.

Tonight, the Rangers will square off with the Calgary Flames. They will attempt to build upon their third period success from their game against the Canucks.

In that period, Ryan McDonagh took more offensive chances and scored a goal and assisted on another. He has continued to impress and grow on the Rangers blue line.

Here is the projected starting lineup for the Rangers tonight.

Derek Stepan-Brad Richards (A)-Marián Gáborík
Brandon Dubinksy-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan (C)
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-Erik Christensen-Kris Newbury

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Steve Eminger
Tim Erixon-Jeff Woywitka

Henrik Lundqvist

If the Rangers want to win this game, they need to stay out of the box, put shots on goal and generate scoring chances. The top line will need to continue to generate offense. Gáborik has been scoring goals, and Richards has assisted him more than once. This is a very good sign, as they are clicking off the bat.

Player To Watch: Brandon Dubinsky

In my last article, my proposal of trading Brandon Dubinsky was not well received. He has looked virtually invisible, with the exception of being called for penalties and assisting on a key goal last night. If Dubinsky can play physical, generate scoring chances and play smart, penalty-free hockey, the Rangers can get off to a good start.

Welcome Home (Well, Kinda

Tim Erixon returns to Calgary tonight for the team that originally signed him. Erixon never played a game for the Flames, but he was their top defensive prospect.

Comments, Questions, Concerns:

Who will score the first goal tonight? What will the final score be? Who are you looking forward to watch tonight?

Leave a comment or question in the section below to get the conversation going.

Tom Urtz Jr is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: