2/11/11 Rangers vs. Thrashers

Breaking the drought tonight.

Rangers against the Atlanta Thrashers.

The Rangers have been in the rut ever since the All Star break. They have dropped their last five games, and have looked absolutely atrocious on the power-play. Luckily, the Rangers have managed to cling to the seventh spot in the standings in the Eastern Conference despite their losing streak. However, they have had three nights off since their last game, and I believe tonight will finally be the game they break out of their slump. This team is talented undeniably, and I feel that these three days they have been worked tirelessly to achieve the cohesiveness this team had before all of the injuries happened. The Rangers have split the two games they've played against Atlanta so far this season, and this game is as close to a must-win as you can get.

The Thrashers have dropped out of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference, thanks to the Carolina Hurricanes' surge as of recently. This team is also in the same boat as the Rangers. The Thrashers have gone 2-5-3 in their last ten, while the Rangers have gone 3-6-1. The Thrashers have managed to get through to the net against the Rangers this season, scoring six goals in their first meeting, and two in the second. Each goal scorer has been different for the Thrashers this season, so it would be hard to tell who the Rangers need to shut down tonight.

My Diagnosis


Like I said earlier, I feel the Rangers are going to finally break out tonight against Atlanta. Atlanta has a better power-play than the Rangers, but a worse penalty-kill than the Rangers. This could also be the night that the Rangers FINALLY break out of their pathetic power-play performance. If there was ever a team to kick off winning again, its Atlanta, and now.

My Predictions


Rangers win 4-3.

Brian Boyle will get the opening goal for the Rangers in the 1st.
Andrew Ladd will get the first for the Thrashers also in the 1st.
Marian Gaboirk will get the second for the Rangers late in the 1st.
Dustin Byfuglien will tie it up at two in the 2nd.
Mats Zuccarello will tally another for the Rangers late in the 2nd.
Brandon Prust will extend the Rangers goals to four at the start of the 3rd.
And finally, Evander Kane will get the final goal for Atlanta half way through the 3rd.

Enjoy the game!