On Tuesday, the New York Rangers (4-0-1, 9 points, 2nd Metro) will play the Montreal Canadiens (2-3-1, 5 points, 6th Atlantic). The Rangers are in good shape after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Chris Kreider scored two goals and Igor Shesterkin made 34 stops. The team has won three straight games, but Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey will not be on the field. What about the Canadiens? They lost to the New York Islanders 4–3, and they have now lost three straight games. This game will not have Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Patrik Laine, or Carey Price for Montreal.
The New York Rangers, with an impressive average of 4.8 goals scored per game, boast one of the most formidable offenses in the NHL. They also rank third in shots per game and faceoff wins. Their power play, successful 31.2% of the time, is the fourth best in the league. Artemi Panarin leads the team in goals, assists, and points, closely followed by Chris Kreider in goals scored. This offensive powerhouse is a force to be reckoned with.
The Rangers have a good defense; their goals-against average of 2.0 is fourth in the NHL. On the other hand, they give up 31 shots per game on average, which ranks 27th. They are fifth in the league because their penalty kill unit has been good 89.5% of the time. With a 3-0-1 record, a 1.97 goals-against average, and a.935 save percentage, goalie Igor Shesterkin has been great.
On the flip side, the Montreal Canadiens have been grappling with scoring issues. They rank 26th in average goals scored and 29th in shots per game. Their power play, successful 21.7% of the time, is a bright spot. However, their defense allows an average of 33.3 shots and 3.3 goals per game. The silver lining is their penalty kill team, which is effective 90.9% of the time, preventing opponents from scoring.
Considering these factors, it’s safe to say that the New York Rangers are in a strong position to clinch this game.