(Sports Network) - The New York Rangers try to start another winning streak on
Tuesday when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to Madison Square Garden.
New York had its three-game winning streak stopped on Thursday against the
Islanders, but bounced back on Sunday, as Derek Stepan scored the go-ahead
goal on the power play early in the third period and Henrik Lundqvist made 27
saves to lead the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over Washington.
"I think special teams are key," said Lundqvist, who has won his last four
starts. "Lately, the PK (penalty kill) has been great, the power play's
getting really good. I think that's a huge part of having success in this
league is having special teams go well for you."
Carl Hagelin had the other goal for the Rangers, who have now registered at
least one point in nine of their last 12 contests (8-3-1) after dropping the
first two games of the season.
"He creates a ton of offense for us," head coach John Tortorella said of
Hagelin, who has five goals and two assists over his last four games. "He's
been really good with (Stepan) and (Rick Nash). It's been a pretty good line."
All the news wasn't great, though, as rugged winger Darroll Powe left the
contest following a mid-ice collision and was placed on the injured reserve
list Monday. He is out indefinitely with what looked like a concussion.
The Rangers, who have won three in a row at MSG, are 6-2-1 on their ice this
season.
Montreal is also rolling and enters this contest having won four in a row
following a 3-0 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. Tomas Plekanec
and Max Pacioretty scored 18 seconds apart during a three-goal third period,
and former Ranger Brandon Prust scored the other goal for the Canadiens, who
sit atop the Northeast Division.
Peter Budaj started in place of an ill Cary Price and recorded his 10th career
shutout with a 19-save performance.
"It's always a bonus when you get a shutout," Budaj said. "We played good
defensive hockey, lots of blocked shots."
Price could return from his bout with the flu on Tuesday. He is 8-3-0 on the
year with a 2.06 goals against average. However, he is just 1-3-0 with a 3.95
GAA in his last four starts versus the Rangers.
Montreal has dominated its series with the Rangers of late, taking seven of 10
and eight of the last 12 meetings. The Canadiens, though, have struggled at
MSG, where they have dropped five of seven.
The Sports Network