2/16/11 Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks

It's going to be legen-wait for it...

Rangers against the Chicago Blackhawks.

For the first time of two meetings this year, the Rangers and Blackhawks are squaring up in a battle between two original six franchises.

The Rangers are in the midst of a four game win streak. After beating Boston 3-0, where it seemed the team struggled for a bit, but Henrik Lundqvist did not, stopping every one of those 42 shots he faced. Ryan Callahan managed to chip in another goal that night, his sixth goal in his last four games. The offense is beginning to pick up for the Rangers again, after they went stagnant earlier this month where a powerplay goal couldn't be bought by the Rangers. Now, that has improved too, and along with the penalty kill, the Rangers are running a bit smoother when up or down a man. One of the big factors I think is going to need to step up tonight is Carl Hagelin. The Blackhawks are a very fast team, and if the Rangers give Patrick Kane or Johnathan Toews any room, they can make the most of it. In order for the Rangers to get a leg up on that, they will need Hagelin to be explosive tonight.



The Blackhawks are slumping right now. They have not won a game in their last nine games, and have lost their last six in regulation. Some of the reasoning behind such a drought is probably due to the loss of two major defensemen, Steve Montador and Niklas Hjalmarsson to injury. But that drought and those injures do not count out the Blackhawks. They are very dangerous, with incredible talent that can break out at any moment.

The Diagnosis


I refuse to fully count out the Blackhawks, but I believe that if the Rangers can take advantage of their depleted defense, they can certainly  come away with a win. That goes with shutting down Johnathan Towes and Patrick Sharp on defense. If those two can come together, the Rangers can make it five-straight tonight.

The Precidtion


Rangers win 3-1

Patrick Sharp will get the initial goal for the Blackhawks early on in the 1st period.
Brandon Dubinsky will get the first Rangers goal also in the 1st.
Marian Gaborik will get the second goal for the Rangers in the 2nd.
and finally, Ryan Callahan will get the empty-netter to win the game.

Enjoy the game!

...dary!