Preview: Calgary Flames @ NY Rangers 2/9/18 (55/82): Struggling NY Looks Good To Streaking Calgary

Calgary Flames @ NY Rangers, 5 PM MT, Madison Square Garden, New York NY

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, your feast or famine Calgary Flames! The good guys seem to either reel off a bunch of wins or a bunch of losses. There doesn’t seem to be an in between, but hey, they’re consistent! Calgary has now won 3 in a row with their 3-2 victory over the NJ Devils and they’ve rocketed all the way up to second place in the Pacific Division. If you can figure this team out, you’re a better person than I.

Sean Monahan is getting hot at the right time and he’s been carrying the Flames struggling offence as of late. The Flames star centre now has a team high 27 goals, good for 8th in the NHL. There isn’t a more unassuming super star in the NHL right now than Sean Monahan.

The NY Rangers, well, they’re mired in a small slump of sorts. NY has lost 4 in a row and 11 of their last 15 and goal scoring has been an issue since the start of the new year. The Rangers have played 16 times since the calendar changed and they’ve only scored 3 or more goals 5 times in that stretch. During their current 4 game skid they’ve been outscored 17-4 and Henrik Lundqvist has been in net for all 4 defeats. And to pile on the losing streak AND the very solid chance of not making the playoffs, Rangers’ management had some interesting comments yesterday regarding “rebuilding.” Yikes.

This the first meeting between these two teams for the season with the final coming on March 2nd. While NY hasn’t played well in some time, the Flames aren’t world beaters when they visit MSG. Calgary is 3-7-0 in their last 10 trips, including losing 5 in a row.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

NY Rangers Coverage: Blue Shirt Banter

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 NJ Devils 2

THE FLAMES HELD ONTO A 3RD PERIOD LEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That right there should be enough for you. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

NY Rangers 1 Boston Bruins 6

This Original Six battle had a 6, it was just 6 goals by the Boston Bruins. Boston added to NY’s misery by extending the Rangers losing streak to 4 games with a 6-1 beatdown of NY. Blueshirt Banter has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Sean Monahan (C). Sean Monahan is on a little tear right now and it’s just what the Flames needed to get themselves out of a hole they dug. Monahan has a goal in every game this month, giving him 6 points in his last 5 games. Compare that to January where Mony had only 9 points for the ENTIRE month. Things are looking up for Monahan and the Flames will need him to keep it up if they are going to push for a playoff spot in the West. And much like the Flames, Monahan has been good on the road, collecting 27 points in 24 games.

NY Rangers

Mats Zuccarello (F). Zuccarello has 3 points in his last 5 games, which considering how bad the Rangers have played, is pretty good. He had a 4 game point streak heading into the All Star break as well, but he’s come up donuts in 3 out of his last 4 games.

by Mark Parkinson