NHL Game of the Week: New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins
On Nov. 3, the Boston Bruins will come to Madison Square Garden to meet the New York Rangers for the Game of the Week.
Both teams went into overtime in the last games they played. Boston’s Hampus Lindholm scored the game-winning goal with just over a minute left in overtime play against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York’s Chris Kreider shot the OT winner with under a minute left against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Boston Bruins (1st in Atlantic Division, 9-1)
The Bruins have taken the Atlantic by storm.
Linus Ullmark has gotten off to a strong goaltending start, saving 219 out of 235 shots on goal with a .932 save percentage. He also leads the league in wins (seven) behind a strong Boston offense.
David Pastrnak has been electric in the start of the season, leading the Bruins in four stat categories: goals (seven), assists (11), points (18) and power play points (seven). He was also named the Second Star of the Month for October.
Taylor Hall has produced in big spots for Boston, including a pass from Pastrnak to score the game-winning goal on a power play in overtime against the Minnesota Wild.
The Bruins will most likely continue to play without David Krecji, who was injured after a high-stick and hit by Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen. Before his injury, Krejci totaled two goals and six assists in eight games.
However, the Bruins still have Patrick Bergeron, Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand as leaders both in the stat book and on the ice.
New York Rangers (2nd in Metropolitan Division, 6-3-2)
The Rangers are looking to bounce back from a rocky start to the season.
Igor Shesterkin hasn’t slowed down at all since his standout performance last season. The Vezina winner has tallied 209 saves out of 227 shots on goal, giving him a .921 save percentage. His first shutout of the year came with the Blueshirts’s 1-0 victory over the Flyers. He’s second in the league in wins (six).
Additionally, Artemi Panarin has emerged on the wing and earned himself the Third Star of the Month. He leads the team in assists (11), points (16) and power play points (eight). He’s also second overall in the league for points.
Mika Zibanejad hasn’t slowed down either, leading the Rangers in goals (six) and power play goals (five).
Even though center Filip Chytil has suffered an upper-body injury, the rest of the team has picked up slack. Kreider, Alexis Lafrenière, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox have shown up, while Kaapo Kakko is on the road to what’s supposed to be his year.
Head coach Gerard Gallant can be credited with the successes of both seasons he’s been in charge for. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Rangers look like they have the momentum to go back again.
The Matchup
Ullmark and Shesterkin should be a good goaltending match for each other. They have relatively close numbers, with Ullmark besting Shesterkin in save percentage, but ultimately it should come down to scoring and enforcing.
Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year student majoring in journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.
