Canucks at Rangers
John Tortorella makes his return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon as the Vancouver Canucks face Alain Vigneault and the New York Rangers. The two coaches were fired a week apart in May and essentially traded places in June as the fiery Tortorella shuffled off to the Pacific Northwest while the reserved Vigneault went to New York after seven seasons in Vancouver. "They’re both very good, but just different styles of coaches," Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis told the New York Times. "Alain’s style is what works for him, and it worked for us. John’s style is just different. Technically, they’re both extremely sound. They just give direction differently, I guess."
The Canucks ignited their sputtering offense by scoring four times in under a nine-minute stretch of the second period en route to a 5-2 triumph over Ottawa on Thursday. While the victory was Vancouver's second in nine outings (2-4-3), New York suffered its fourth loss in seven games with a 3-2 setback to Original Six-rival Boston on Friday afternoon. Rick Nash scored for the second straight contest and third time in five contests since returning from a 17-game absence due to a concussion.
TV: 2 p.m. ET, NHLN, RSN Pacific (Vancouver), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (13-9-5): Daniel Sedin became the third Vancouver player to reach the 300-goal milestone, joining Markus Naslund (346) and Trevor Linden (318). Sedin collected a goal and an assist, giving him two tallies and five assists during his four-game point streak. Twin brother Henrik scored twice as the Canucks cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Rangers in a preseason game on Sept. 26, marking Vigneault's return to Vancouver.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (13-13-0): Although Cam Talbot is due to make his first home start with New York playing back-to-back contests, Henrik Lundqvist likely will get the nod against his former coach. The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner has two career victories over Vancouver, with both coming via shutout. Lundqvist would benefit if the Rangers could get their offense in gear, as it has mustered just three total tallies in three straight one-goal games at Madison Square Garden.
OVERTIME
1. Vancouver G Roberto Luongo has yielded two goals or fewer in 12 of his last 14 games. The veteran is just 7-11-1 with one tie in 21 career appearances versus the Rangers.
2. New York D Ryan McDonagh scored on Friday, giving him two goals and an assist in his last four games. He had three tallies and set up seven others in his previous 21 contests.
3. The Canucks have scored a power-play goal in three straight games and five of their last seven.