Before I start, I'd like to take a moment to say... Yay! My first game post!
Now that thats out of the way, lets get it started.
Rangers at home against the Calgary Flames.
The Rangers have had home struggles this season so far, while the Flames have had struggles almost everywhere. Kiprusoff has slipped in the wins/ losses department going 7-9-1, and the team sits at the 14th position in the Western conference. Despite their less than impressive record and standing placement, they are only -1 in the goals for/goals against ratio. They have a wide variety of players who are capable of scoring, and frankly, they scare me as a team.
The Rangers are coming off an impressive away win against the Wild after being trounced by Colorado earlier this week. Dubinsky, Anisimov, and Boyle have stepped up in the absence of Marian Gaborik earlier this season and hold the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in goals for the Rangers so far this season. Along with those three, Ryan Callahan has done a remarkable job of being a huge play-maker, leading the team with 12 assists. And, of course Marian Gaborik returns and is always a player the opposition needs to keep an eye on.
My Diagnosis
The Flames are still hurting after that blown lead against Detroit last night, and unless they are all foaming at the mouth with anger, I do not see them walking away with a win tonight at the Garden. With that said, the Rangers defense is going to have to do a somewhat competent job of containing players like Iginla and Bourque if they want to have any shot of winning. Biron is in net and while he has proven himself capable, he is a backup, and could use some help by the defense every once in a while.
My Predictions
The Rangers win 4-3
Rangers goals:
Brandon Dubinsky gets one in the second period.
Ruslan Fedotenko gets one on a battle in front on the net.
Marian Gaborik gets one early in the third.
And the empty netter at the end of the game is up for grabs. Although some foreign being is telling me to think Staal will get it.
Flames goals:
Hagman or Tanguay will get the first one. It will follow up Dubinskys goal within 2 minutes.
Iginla will get the second one to keep the game close at the end of the second.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to watch the game tonight as I already have made plans, so their will not be a post game topic tonight. But enjoy the game everyone!
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