Struggling Golden Knights try to sweep the Rangers this season.
The New York Rangers are looking for some of the consistency that allowed them to quickly take a commanding lead in the Metropolitan Division, while the Vegas Golden Knights may be heating up again after a slump. The Golden Knights, who have won four of their last five games (4-0-1), will try to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit New York on Friday night. The Rangers have just returned from a lackluster road trip. For the second time in nine days, both teams are playing each other in their final two games prior to the NHL’s All-Star break. On January 18, Vegas easily won 5 to 1.
The Golden Knights’ past five games have seen them score twenty goals. Following a 4-9-0 run, they saw their six-point lead in the Pacific Division evaporate, leaving them seven points adrift of the Vancouver Canucks. Vegas is hoping that its final two games before the break will be similar to their 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday or their rout of the Rangers last week. The latter outcome occurred one evening after New Jersey Devils’ 6-5 overtime victory in overtime infuriated head coach Bruce Cassidy.
Against the Islanders, Ivan Barbashev and Nicolas Roy each recorded a goal and an assist. Roy has scored in back-to-back games for the second time this season, while Barbashev has three goals in his last four games following a 10-game drought.
As Jack Eichel heals from surgery, both players are on the top line with Jonathan Marchessault. With his assist on Tuesday, Marchessault now has five goals and three assists in his last five games.
“We are trying to win a hockey match. That’s what we did, Cassidy said. “We certainly weren’t flawless, but I felt like we gave it our all. After yesterday, all we really asked for was that we keep the puck out of the net.” The Rangers were 18-4-1 following their improbable 6-5 victory over the San Jose Sharks at home on December 3. Since then, New York’s record in its last 24 games is a pitiful 11-11-2, with a 4-6-2 record in its last 12.
The Rangers are headed back home after winning their last two games at home against the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, going 1-2-1 during their four-game West Coast swing. Tuesday’s 3-2 loss in San Jose marked the end of the trip for New York, as Tomas Hertl defeated Igor Shesterkin 89 seconds into overtime. Despite scoring twice in a 5-2 victory in Anaheim on Sunday, New York’s power play was 0-for-3. Defenseman Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin scored on even strength.
We’re currently going through it somewhat,” Vincent Trocheck of New York stated. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette continued, “We’re in a position to win the game and pull out of the road trip at 2-2.” “It’s frustrating not to get the win tonight.”
Panarin is about to have his second 30-goal season with the Rangers and his fourth overall. He has 17 goals in his last 25 games, including two goals in the last two games of the trip. Vegas has a 7-4-0 overall record, with three victories coming in New York.
