11/3/11 Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks

When life gives you razor-blades, you make a baseball bat, covered in razor-blades.

Rangers against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Rangers and Ducks are meeting tonight on home soil, after versing each other in Sweden earlier in October, with the Ducks took that game 2-1 in a shootout. The Rangers have shuffled up this team a bit after blowing a 3 goal lead against Ottawa. Kris Newbery and Tim Erixon were sent down to the Connecticut Whale, and the Rangers brought up Andre Deveaux and fan-favorite Sean Avery. Unfortunately, Avery will not be in the lineup tonight, but the Rangers are feeling better after that loss. The Rangers responded to the loss against Ottawa by beating the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Tuesday. Captain Ryan Callahan scored twice, and Artem Anisimov and Derek Stepan both scored their first goals of the year. It appears that the loss against Ottawa has resonated more inside the locker room than one would have thought, and has woken up the secondary scoring a bit. That has been what the Ranger have lacked in the first two games: secondary scoring. Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards have done their part in contributing, and now the 2nd and 3rd line guys are beginning to get into the swing of things. If all goes well tonight again for the Rangers, this shuffling of the team could prove to be a benefit.



The Ducks have been much like the Rangers in the first half of the season. They have 12 points, one more than the Rangers, and have been streaky at times. They best player, believe it or not, is eternally-lasting-hockey-robot Teemu Selanne. Selanne has showed no signs of his age as he has propelled the Ducks with five goals and nine assists in his last games.

The Diagnosis


The Rangers and Ducks have already proved that they are equally matched teams, taking each other to overtime in their last meeting. With the top line of Getzlaf-Perry-Ryan, the Ducks are a very dangerous team still. That is not to count out the Rangers though. The Rangers are eager to get back on the ice to prove their worth after that dreadful loss to Ottawa, and are looking to show the league and fans what this team is truly made of. These two teams are going to put on a good show, and I think once again, the game will be decided in overtime after both teams score three goals in regulation. Who will win is a toss up.

Enjoy the game!