Getty Images NBCSN’s ongoing coverage of the 2013 campaign will continue tonight when the Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers at the TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET.
We’re only a quarter of the way through the shortened season, but the Rangers and Bruins are already gearing up for the third and final contest of their 2013 series.
They started the season together with Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask and Boston’s defense doing a superb job of marginalizing the Rangers’ new top-heavy offense en route to a 3-1 win for Boston. However, when they met again on Jan. 23, Rangers forward Marian Gaborik had a hat trick to help his team earn a 4-3 overtime victory.
Through 10 games, the Rangers are just one of two teams to best the Boston Bruins, but things haven’t gone nearly as well in New York. The Rangers struggled early this season and have a troubling 2-4-0 record against their Atlantic Division counterparts.
The Rangers have found success recently, but they’ve done it by beating the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning twice and the 14th place New York Islanders’ once. If the Rangers want to prove that they’ve moved past their initial slump, they’ll have to start winning big games like tonight’s.
Meanwhile, the only pressure the Boston Bruins feel comes from the desire to keep a good thing going. They have an 8-1-1 record and are on a three-game winning streak. Rask rose to the status of starting goaltender after two-time Vezina Trophy-winner Tim Thomas decided to take a year off and so far he’s given Bruins’ fans no reason to regret Thomas’ departure.
Still, the Rangers are one of the few teams to solve Rask recently, so he’ll be looking for revenge at the same time that the Rangers are seeking momentum.
Probable goaltenders: BOS – Rask (6-1-1, 1.96 GAA, .922 SV%) | NYR – Henrik Lundqvist (5-5-0, 2.44 GAA, .911 SV%)
Top scorers: BOS – David Krejci (3-7-10, 10 GP) | NYR – Gaborik, Rick Nash, and Brad Richards are tied with nine points in 11 games.
Notable Injuries:
Boston – Forwards: Marc Savard (concussion)
New York – Defensemen: Michael Sauer (concussion)
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It boils down to mistakes of all kinds.
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What a difference one goal makes.
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Leddy benched, not hurt, as Chicago rolled five defensemen
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He played less than three minutes in Game 4.
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“If he sees the puck, he’s going to be almost impossible to beat.”
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His middle name isn’t “Game Over.” We checked.
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It’s now 2-2 after an exciting 6-5 thriller.
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The Bruins won’t give up.
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Video: Bruins, Hawks combine for five goals in 11 minutes during wild second period
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… And there were plenty of other close calls.
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Vancouver Canucks would appreciate the cap space.
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Michal Handzus scores first, Rich Peverley ties it.
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The money part has been settled, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
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In case you were worrying about another late scratch.
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The Swede wasn’t getting benched during playoff games, for one.
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Tough timing for free agent Mason Raymond.
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37-year-old ‘tender ready to call it a career.
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Nonis says compliance buyout a ‘distinct possibility’ for Leafs
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That’s a picture of Mike Komisarek.
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Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma considered to be a favorite for the position.
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Apparently Glen Sather and Mike Gillis don’t see the game evolving the same way
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Which could be why they end up swapping coaches.
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NHL to implement hybrid icing next season if trial period goes well
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The players’ union and Board of Governors will vote near the end of the exhibition campaign.
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Detroit could have quite the sports and entertainment district.
