Preview: The Bruins visit New York to face the slumping Rangers

On By Littum

Just the facts

When: Tonight at 19.00

Where: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposite perspective: Blue shirt banter

Know your enemy

  • 16-19-1, 33PTS, 8th in Metropolitan Division
  • Artemi Panarin: 16G-23A-39PTS; Adam Fox: 1G-27A-28PTS; Will Cuylle: 11G-13A-24PTS
  • Igor Shesterkin: 11-15-1, 3.10 GAA, .906 save percentage

Playing notes

  • After finishing 2024 against a Metro opponent, the Bruins will begin 2025 against another Metro team — albeit one that is currently experiencing very, very different vibes from the Washington Capitals.
  • Yes, it’s been a dumpster fire of a season for the New York Rangers so far, as last year’s President’s Trophy winners are currently the fifth-worst team in the NHL. The Rangers have lost four in a row and are 2-8-0 in their last ten games.
  • To make matters worse, their star goalkeeper, Igor Shesterkin, may be on the way to injured reserve after being tied by Sam Bennett last time out.
  • After trading Jacob Trouba, trading Kaapo Kakko, scratching Chris Kreider and more, the Rangers have pulled a lot of levers. They also routinely scratched defenseman Zac Jones, who wasn’t shy shares his feelings with Larry Brooks.
  • Vincent Trocheck, another one of those guys that I want to always score against the Bruins, has 2G-3A-5PTS totals in his last five games.
  • This likely won’t be the game the Bruins’ power play, which was terrible Tuesday, gets back on track: The Rangers boast the league’s second-best penalty kill.
  • Aside from the power play, Tuesday’s effort was a pretty decent effort from the Bruins, one they could build on with another solid performance tonight. Given the Rangers’ current situation, plus the injury to Shesterkin, this is a game the Bruins should win.
  • There’s not much else going on with the Bruins at the moment, really – kind of a “ho, hum” stretch at the moment (ie, no real behind-the-scenes turbulence or guard intrigue), which isn’t a bad thing.

See you tonight!