[8:00 PM] Rangers @ Predators

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Rangers (21-10-1)

@ Nashville Predators (13-12-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Henrik Lundqvist (NYR): Confirmed

Juuse Saros (NSH): Confirmed

 

• What was shaping up as a goaltender controversy is morphing into an embarrassment of riches for the New York Rangers, who will wrap up a brief two-game road trip with a visit to the slumping Nashville Predators on Saturday night. New York, which leads the NHL with 21 victories, has registered three shutouts during its current 4-1-0 run.

• The Predators went 9-3-2 in November but have already matched that loss total in seven games this month (2-4-1). Nashville has surrendered at least four goals in each of the last five defeats, although there were two empty-net tallies in Thursday’s 5-2 home loss to Minnesota.

• Despite sitting a struggling Lundqvist for four consecutive games in place of Antti Raanta, who is 8-2-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average, coach Alain Vigneault expected a vintage performance from his No. 1 netminder. Lundqvist was not the only veteran to make a triumphant return to the lineup — Rick Nash scored after missing the previous four games to injury.

• During a nine-game stretch from Nov. 8-25, Nashville allowed one goal or less six times, but in the nine contests since it has permitted at least three tallies. Captain Mike Fisher has scored three goals in the past two games and needs one more to reach 100 with the Predators — he scored 167 during his tenure with the Ottawa Senators. Viktor Arvidsson, who already has establish career highs in goals, assists and points, has two tallies and four assists during his career-best five-game point streak.

• Lundqvist is 5-4-0 with a 1.92 GAA against Nashville.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: New York Rangers

Confidence: 5/10

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