The New York Rangers haven't won a game in Calgary since March 2nd, 2018. Tonight, they look to win for the first time in five trips to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The New York Rangers and Calgary Flames will face-off at 9:45pm EST tonight as a part of the NHL's Frozen Frenzy. It's a very exciting night, not only for Rangers fans, but for hockey fans in general as the NHL is trying it's own version of the NFL Redzone.
The last time that the New York Rangers won a game in Calgary, the game-winning goal scorer was Pavel Buchnevich and the win came on a 50-save performance by Henrik Lundqvist. This was March 2nd, 2018.
Five years later, this Rangers group is completely different. Entering this contest, the Rangers are currently the sixth best defensive team in the NHL, only allowing 2.40 goals against per game, while also giving up the fewest shots against per game (23.8).
The Calgary Flames enter tonight's contest returning home from a five-game road trip where they went 1-3-1, while also losing their last two straight games. In those two games, they were outscored by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings by a combined score of 9-3.
Expected Goalie Matchup: Igor Shesterkin vs. Jacob Markstrom
Shesterkin: Looking for a bounce back performance after being pulled in his last start. He allowed four goals on 18 shots against in Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators. This season, Shesterkin is skating to a .879 save percentage and a 3.14 goals against average with a -0.5 goals saved above expected. He should be well rested after backing up Jonathan Quick in the Rangers most recent game.
Career vs. Calgary: 0-2-0 with a .851 SV% and 5.50 GAA.
Markstrom: Markstrom's numbers might be better than Shesterkin's, but the Flames net-minder is still trying to get back to the best of his game. This season he is 1-2-1 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.75 goals against average. He also has a +1.1 goals saved above expected. He should also be well rested as he did not start against the Detroit Red Wings in the team's most recent game.
Career vs. Rangers: 9-2-2 with a .915 SV% and a 2.48 GAA.
Concern For Tonight's Matchup: Calgary's Penalty Kill
The Rangers may have won 4-1 against Seattle on Saturday night, but it was the only game this season that they failed to score a goal on the power play. Granted, they only had one opportunity, but tonight their man-advantage unit will face a tough test in Calgary. The Flames are currently tied for the second-best penalty kill in the league, skating to a 95.5% success rate and they have only given up one goal this season when they're shorthanded.
At 5-on-5, the Rangers looked strong against the Kraken, but they haven't been able to sustain the offensive production at even strength yet this season. The Panarin-Chytil-Lafreniere line has been the glue keeping the offense together and tonight, these three will need to set the tone again.
Rangers Projected Lineup (*Not confirmed yet):
Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Lafreniere
Cuylle-Trocheck-Wheeler
Goodrow-Bonino-Vesey
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Gustafsson-Miller
Shesterkin
Flames Stats:
PP: 15% (20th)
PK: 95.5% (Tied for 2nd)
GF/GP: 2.67 (22nd)
GA/GP: 3.67 (24th)
Rangers Stats:
PP: 26.7% (11th)
PK: 75% (20th)
GF/GP: 3.00 (19th)
GA/GP: 2.40 (6th)