Ducks at Rangers
THE STORY: A pair of angry teams – for very different reasons – will meet Thursday when the New York Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks. New York is coming off a 5-2 victory over San Jose on Monday, which prompted Sharks captain Joe Thornton to inexplicably label the Rangers “soft.’’ Said New York coach John Tortorella: “It surprised me and I’ve never heard a player say that. Joe’s a heck of a player, but here’s a player popping off about our team, and Joe hasn’t won a (bleep) thing in this league. … So what he should do is just shut up.” The Ducks, who have lost three straight and are 1-2-2 on their seven-game road trip, are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss at Washington on Tuesday after blowing a 3-0 lead and allowing the tying goal with 42 seconds left in regulation.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, MSG (New York), Prime Ticket (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (5-5-2): Anaheim has struggled since its 4-1-0 start and goaltender Jonas Hiller has been a big reason. He is 1-3-2 since the Ducks’ season high-water mark and owns a 3.59 goals against average during that span. Teemu Selanne scored twice Tuesday and moved into 13th all-time with 642 goals. Anaheim’s top line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan has combined for two points – both goals – in the last three games.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (4-3-3): Sean Avery cleared re-entry waivers and rejoined the team Tuesday, although Tortorella said he will not play Thursday. All 29 other teams passed on Avery, who did not make the team and was demoted to Connecticut of the American Hockey League on Oct. 5. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has lost three straight (0-2-1) and allowed four goals in each of his last two games. The Rangers are 1-1-1 on their six-game homestand.
OVERTIME:
1. The Ducks won the first meeting this season 2-1 in Sweden when Ryan fanned on a shot that slid through Lundqvist’s legs in the shootout.
2. Rangers captain Ryan Callahan has four points in his last two games, including two goals Monday.