Rangers at Senators
Despite a major roster overhaul starting at last season's trade deadline, the New York Rangers are among the league's biggest surprises and their improved play at home is a big reason why. Much like last season, though, New York has struggled away from Madison Square Garden and will try to change that when it opens a two-game road trip at the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
The Rangers have won only three of 11 (3-6-2) away from home but will look to beat Ottawa for the second time in four days after scoring three times in the third period of Monday's 4-2 victory. "It's a hard-working team," New York forward Kevin Hayes said. "If you are not working hard, you are not playing. That's coach's rules. We work hard every night and we are kind of building an identity here." The Senators rebounded from the loss to the Rangers with a 4-3 victory in Philadelphia on Tuesday, scoring three times in the final 20 minutes to halt a four-game slide in which they surrendered a staggering 23 goals. Although Ottawa also has labored on the road with three wins in 12 games (3-8-1), it has won seven straight at Canadian Tire Centre (playoffs included) versus New York.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), RDS, TSN5 (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (13-10-2): Defenseman Marc Staal ended a goal-scoring drought of more than 13 months against Ottawa, but coach David Quinn was not interested in talking about his offensive production following the latest victory. “I just think he’s really had a good year,” Quinn said. "Defensively, I think he’s a calming influence on our team, in the locker room and on the ice. He works hard, he wants to get better. I’ve just liked his year, I really have.” Forward Vladislav Namestnikov is in the concussion protocol and will not be available Thursday.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (10-12-3): Rookie Brady Tkachuk, the No. 4 overall selection in this year's draft, has elevated his game over the past two weeks. Tkachuk capped a three-point night by scoring a pair of third-period goals to fuel Ottawa's comeback win over Philadelphia and also collected a pair of assists at New York to give him five tallies and eight points in the last six games. "He brings something a little different," Matt Duchene said of Tkachuk. "We don't have a power forward quite like him on this team. ... Obviously, you can see why he was such a high pick for us."
OVERTIME
1. Rangers C Mika Zibanejad has four goals and five points in four games against his former team, including one of each Monday.
2. Ottawa F Mark Stone has 12 points in 16 games against New York after scoring twice Monday.
3. Rangers F Chris Kreider has seven goals and five assists over the past 12 games.