Rangers at Panthers
The Florida Panthers face a tall order Tuesday as they attempt to break out of their slump and remain close in the race for the playoffs when they host the New York Rangers. Florida won one of its last six contests (1-4-1) as it sits two points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and five behind Boston for third place in the Atlantic Division.
The Panthers scored one goal in each of their last three defeats, including a setback against Dallas on Saturday in the opener of their three-game homestand. They will need to produce more offense versus New York, which ranks among the top teams in the league in scoring (211 goals). The Rangers, who won four straight and eight of nine on the road, tallied one Monday but still came away with the victory in Tampa Bay as Mika Zibanejad snapped a scoreless tie at 3:56 of overtime with his second goal in 20 contests. Antti Raanta made 38 saves en route to his career-high third shutout of the campaign, but leading scorer J.T. Miller (48 points) remained one goal shy of recording his second straight 20-goal season as his drought reached six games.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE RANGERS (42-22-2): Despite being among the highest-scoring teams in the NHL, New York struggled of late, recording fewer than three goals in nine of its last 10 games. The absence of Michael Grabner hasn't helped as the veteran right wing, who leads the team with 26 goals, missed his third straight contest Monday with a hip/oblique injury. Rugged left wing Tanner Glass was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League and made his season debut against the Lightning, registering two hits while engaging in a fight in 5 minutes, 17 seconds of ice time.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (29-24-11): Vincent Trocheck, who leads the team in goals (22) and points (43), landed on the scoresheet once in his last six games - tallying against Carolina on Feb. 28. The 23-year-old All-Star center notched a pair of assists before scoring the decisive shootout goal in Florida's 3-2 triumph at New York on Nov. 20. Thomas Vanek has yet to record a point in two games with the Panthers after registering 38 in 48 contests with Detroit.
OVERTIME
1. Panthers G Roberto Luongo is two victories away from passing Curtis Joseph (454) for fourth place on the all-time list.
2. New York RW Brandon Pirri needs two points to reach 100 for his career.
3. Florida G James Reimer allowed fewer than three goals in five of his last six starts.