The New York Rangers are expected to start Henrik Lundqvist in net Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers started Antti Raanta against the Anaheim Ducks in a 2-1 victory on Wednesday.
Lundqvist is set to return against the Kings for his third start since dealing with neck spasms. The goalie missed three games earlier in the month after a collision with teammate Ryan McDonagh. Lundqvist was dealing with neck spasms and sat out before returning against the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers lost both of those games, and Lundqvist allowed a combined eight goals.
The team felt that it would be a good idea to get Lundqvist some rest on Wednesday, and it worked out well with a victory for New York. Raanta made 22 saves in the win over the Ducks to continue his strong season as the backup, and Lundqvist will now get the chance to start again.
Lundqvist has been mostly brilliant for the Rangers this season with a 2.35 goals against average and a 31-18-5 record, but he has struggled against Western Conference teams. Lundqvist has gone just 12-6-0 against teams out west this season, allowing 47 goals in 19 games. The Rangers need Lundqvist to be at the top of his game heading into the playoffs if they hope to make a run at the Stanley Cup.
The Rangers snapped a two-game losing streak with the win to start their west coast road trip. The team has two more games on this trip against California teams with the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. The Rangers showed some strong defensive play against the Ducks, allowing just one goal and keeping the puck out of the offensive zone most of the night. Defenseman Kevin Klein also had both goals for the team in the game.
"I thought it was one of the better defensive games we've played all year," coach Alain Vigneault said. "We were able to get it done, and now we move on to Los Angeles."
The Rangers are now back in second place in the Metropolitan Division after the win against the Ducks, jumping back over the New York Islanders. The Islanders and Rangers are battling for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the Eastern Conference this season. The Rangers have 87 points heading into Thursday night, while the Islanders are two points back.
