The Carolina Hurricanes open the Ranger's November slate in a benchmark divisional matchup.
The New York Rangers have a lot of rivalries. None of them have the current history that the Rangers and Hurricanes have.
Since the Rangers return to contention, the teams have met twice in the post-season, and every contest has major implications on the team's standings.
Peter Laviolette did not mince words on how important tonight's contest is, "There are games inside your division that have extra weight to it. They've won the division the last three years. I think this is a game you say, this is a team we have to beat."
K'Andre Miller acknowledged that this game is a measuring stick for the team, "They are games on the calendar we have circled. From our perspective, we aren't going into this game with a different mindset," he elaborated, "We know what kind of firepower Carolina has, and the team they are...realizing that we're in for a full sixty-minute battle is the biggest takeaway."
A maximum effort it will take, as the Hurricanes have won three games in a row.
The 23-year-old rearguard pointed to how this match can only make the rolling Rangers a better team, regardless of the final score, "We've seen teams with that speed. The Devils are a good team, to compare that atmosphere and game to. We aren't too unfamiliar with that, it excels our game a little bit more. Plays are going to be made quick and we're going to have to play with pace tonight."
Kaapo Kakko looks forward to playing against his fellow Finnish players, "Jesperi Kotkaniemi is one year older than me, I know him very well. I've played with him. [He is] a friend of mine and we are talking a little bit." The two skaters competed together at the 2018 U18 Five Nations tournament in Plymouth, Michigan.
Tonight the teams continue their torrid divisional rivalry at 7:00 PM (EST). Catch the game tonight on MSG Networks and BSSO.