It hasn't been a happy 2011 so far for the New York Rangers.
For starters they lost in a shootout to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1. Then they got blown out by the Florida Panthers in a 3-0 rout and have looked awful since the clock struck midnight and brought in 2011.
Scoring has obviously been an issue, with the Rangers only potting one goal in two games. Marian Gaborik scored the game-tying goal for the Rangers against the Lightning with 45 seconds left, but the Rangers gave up the game-winning goal just 19 seconds into overtime.
Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant that day, Martin Biron got rocked against the Panthers, but it wasn't all his fault. Still, the Rangers need a win and they need one now. They're only six points out of the top of the division, but the Flyers and Penguins are too good to sit idle for a long time.
Tonight's matchup against the Hurricanes should be a good litmus test for both teams. Carolina is six points behind the Rangers, and four points behind eighth-place Montreal. Carolina does have two games in hand on Montreal, though.
Expect Henrik Lundqvist to get the start. John Tortorella has also admitted that Ryan McDonagh will not play tonight, and he might not even play during this stint. Regardless Matt Gilroy remains in Michael Del Zotto's spot.
Should be a good one. Make sure to keep it here for the recap.