Rangers at Hurricanes
Following some major moves at the trade deadline, the New York Rangers looked formidable in a home-and-home series against the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins and sit tied with the Islanders for the final two playoff spots in the conference. On Saturday, the Rangers visit the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost three straight and are 1-9-1 in their last 11 contests. New York manhandled Pittsburgh 6-1 at home thanks to major contributions from new arrivals Ryane Clowe, who scored two goals as part of a three-point game, and Derick Brassard, who had a goal and three assists. The Rangers followed that with a 2-1 shootout loss at Pittsburgh, dropping to 6-9-2 on the road.
The Hurricanes led the Southeast Division in early March before tumbling all the way to a tie for 13th in the conference. Carolina’s only victory since March 12 came at the end of the month at division-rival Winnipeg, and it has lost six straight home games. The Hurricanes’ troubles coincide with the knee injury to starting goaltender Cam Ward, who has not played since March 3. Dan Ellis allowed five goals on 30 shots in a loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday in his second start since returning from a leg laceration. Ellis was pulled on Tuesday in his return to the lineup after allowing three goals on seven shots against Washington. Justin Peters started the previous four games for Carolina.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN (Carolina)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (18-15-4): Derek Stepan assisted on Rick Nash’s goal on Thursday to start the month with four points (two goals, two assists) in three games. Stepan led New York with 15 points in March. Henrik Lundqvist appeared to strain his groin in Friday’s shootout but managed to finish the contest. Backup Martin Biron, who has one win in his last four starts, may get the call on Saturday as a precaution. Defenseman Marc Staal, who suffered an eye injury on March 5, resumed workouts on Wednesday but remains out indefinitely, leaving more opportunities for trade-deadline acquisition John Moore, who scored in his Rangers debut.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (16-18-2): Defenseman Justin Faulk, who injured his knee on March 19, resumed skating with the team and could return to the lineup next week. Carolina acquired defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline to bolster its blue-line depth, and Bergeron contributed a power-play assist in his debut against Washington. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen broke his heel bone in the same game and will miss the remainder of the season. Tuomo Ruutu returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing two games with a groin injury. Ruutu finished the contest minus-2 while skating on a line with Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal. Jiri Tlusty recorded his first career hat trick on Tuesday and leads the team with 17 goals.
OVERTIME
1. Clowe’s goals on Wednesday were his first this season after going scoreless in 28 games with San Jose.
2. Carolina’s last victory against the Rangers was a 4-1 triumph on Jan. 20, 2011. The Hurricanes are 0-4-2 versus the Rangers since then, including a 2-1 shootout loss at New York on March 18.
3. The teams will meet for a third time at Carolina on April 25.
PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 1