Panthers at Rangers
THE STORY: Two of the Eastern Conference's top teams butt heads Sunday when the New York Rangers host the Florida Panthers. New York is fifth in the East with 36 points, just three behind the Philadelphia Flyers for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers are 6-1-1 in their last eight games overall and have been just as impressive at home, earning points in eight of their last nine at Madison Square Garden (7-1-1). Florida, which leads the Southeast Division with 37 points, is 3-0-1 in its last four contests and 7-2-2 in its last 11. The Panthers have notched at least one point in each of their last five road games (4-0-1). Florida has won three of the last four meetings between the clubs, including a 2-1 triumph at home on Nov. 23.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN (Florida), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (16-8-5): Florida took advantage of a rare opportunity for an outdoor practice Saturday afternoon and hit the ice at Lasker Rink in Manhattan's Central Park. The club spurned the formalities of a regular practice as the coaching staff participated in skill events and goalies Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen abandoned their pads for the day. "It was a lot of fun, and I think I’m ready to play on the point (of the power play)," Theodore told the Miami Herald. "It was the perfect weather, not too cold. We had a real good time out here, that’s for sure."
ABOUT THE RANGERS (16-6-4): Rookie Carl Hagelin registered his first career two-goal performance in Saturday's victory. The 23-year old Swede, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2007 draft, has recorded three goals and three assists in eight games since being recalled from Connecticut of the American Hockey League. Hagelin and captain Ryan Callahan scored shorthanded goals Saturday, marking the first time New York had tallied twice in a game while down a skater since Jan. 20, 2009.
OVERTIME:
1. With Sunday's game, the Panthers will have played 18 of their first 30 contests of the season on the road.
2. The Rangers' victory on Saturday was the 2,500th in franchise history.