The New York Rangers (48-20-4, first in the Metropolitan Division) will face off against the Colorado Avalanche (46-21-5, second in the Central Division) in Denver tonight at 9 p.m. EDT.
Following Alexis Lafreniere’s two-goal performance in the Rangers’ 6-5 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers, they head to Colorado to take on the formidable Avalanche. Colorado holds a 46-21-5 overall record, with an impressive 28-7-0 record in home games. The Avalanche have scored 268 goals while conceding 213, resulting in a noteworthy +55 scoring differential.
Meanwhile, New York holds a commendable 48-20-4 overall record, with a respectable 22-11-4 record in road games. Notably, the Rangers have excelled when facing opponents who serve more penalty minutes, with a 27-8-1 record in such matchups. This encounter marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the Rangers emerging victorious 2-1 in overtime in their previous matchup, led by Lafreniere’s two goals.
Key performers for the Avalanche include Nathan MacKinnon, who has amassed an impressive 45 goals and 78 assists, and Mikko Rantanen, with 8 goals and 11 assists in the past 10 games.
For the Rangers, Vincent Trocheck has been instrumental with 25 goals and 47 assists, while Artemi Panarin has contributed 8 goals and 8 assists in the last 10 games.
In their respective last 10 games, the Avalanche have been dominant with a 9-1-0 record, averaging 4.3 goals and conceding just 2 per game. On the other hand, the Rangers have posted an 8-2-0 record, averaging 3.9 goals while conceding 2.5 goals per game.
Igor Shesterkin is in goal tonight
