Rangers at Panthers
THE STORY: It will be a battle of top teams when the Atlantic Division leading New York Rangers visit the Southeast leading Florida Panthers on Friday. New York had its five game winning streak snapped on Wednesday after a 4-1 loss to the Capitals in Washington. The Rangers will have to focus on the Panthers to ensure they don’t enter the Bridgestone Winter Classic on Monday - their next game - on a losing streak. Despite the loss to the Capitals, the Rangers are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. The Panthers on the other hand, snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday at home when they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3. Twelve Panthers had at least a point in the win and Jose Theodore made 29 saves to improve to 14-8-4 on the season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Florida
ABOUT THE RANGERS (22-9-4): It was a rare loss for goaltender Martin Biron against the Capitals. Biron, 7-2-0 on the season, will give way to No. 1 goaltender Henrik Lundqvist as the highly anticipated Winter Classic approaches. Lundqvist made 28 saves in shutting out the New York Islanders 3-0 in his last start. He improved to 15-7-4 with his third shutout of the season. Sniper Marian Gaborik, who shares the NHL goal lead with Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos (22), had his five-game scoring streak snapped by the Capitals. Gaborik has 33 career points in 35 games against Florida.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (19-11-7): Injuries may be catching up to the Panthers. Missing seven regulars - all forwards - Florida has struggled going 4-3-3 in its last 10 games. The Panthers are, however, 9-3-5 on home ice. Florida will look to take control of the season series as the two teams split the first two of four games this year. The Panthers won 2-1 at home in late November, but fell 6-1 on Dec. 11 in New York. Kris Versteeg scored the game winner for Florida in the first contest, and has 38 points in 36 career games against the Rangers.
OVERTIME:
1. Florida defenseman Brian Campbell had three assists Tuesday in the Panthers 5-3 victory over the Maple Leafs.
2. Through 32 games on MSG Networks, Rangers’ telecasts have seen a 16 percent ratings increase from last season.