Rangers Aim to Keep Road Success Rolling Against the Maple Leafs
Getting shut out in your first three home games is not an ideal way to begin the season, but the New York Rangers have hope on the road. Believe it or not, all 10 goals New York has scored have been on the road, meaning their scoreless streak in MSG continues. A 4-0 shutout win in Buffalo, followed by a dominating 6-1 win in Pittsburgh, gives fans hope that this team can take care of business on the road. Whatever it is that helps them on the road, they're gonna need it against yet another playoff-contending team. The New York Rangers look to bounce back in Scotiabank Arena as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Following their back-to-back games being shut out, the schedule isn't getting any easier for the Blueshirts. Fortunately for them, they've looked like the better team against both the Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers, but both Charlie Lindgren and Stuart Skinner had other plans. The Rangers have been stealing a few wins over the last few seasons thanks to Igor Shesterkin in net. It seems fans are now finally seeing what it's like when the roles are reversed. Now that they're back on the road, perhaps they can at last find the back of the net, unless Anthony Stolarz or Cayden Primeau have other plans.
Although they've outplayed a few teams with high expectations, Toronto doesn't seem to be a joke. Apart from the kind of atmosphere their stadium possesses, Toronto comes in with much momentum after a 7-4 victory against the Nashville Predators. Currently 2-2 on the season, key players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares show no signs of slowing down. With an offense like this at their disposal, Toronto can remain dangerous as long as they keep clicking offensively.
New York, however, proved to have no trouble finding their footing on the road, even with a few injuries sustained to their roster. As of right now, Vincent Trocheck will remain on the long-term injured reserve, with November 1st being the earliest he can rejoin. Defenseman Will Borgen is also dealing with a lower-body injury that kept him out of practice today. Outplaying their opponents despite injuries like this may give fans hope that the team will soon find its footing at home. For now, they'll need to make the most of their road wins.
Tomorrow night, either Stolarz or Primeau will be on the ice, and New York fans can expect Shesterkin to be back between the pipes. Despite Shesterkin's dominance early on, that strong support needs to be there if the Blueshirts are to help him out. Believe it or not, both Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick have only allowed three goals altogether in their three home games so far this season, with New York losing all three. If the Rangers want any chance to survive Toronto's attack, they'll need to give their goaltenders strong support and put that puck in the net.
Overall, Toronto looks to have the edge with its offensive burst, but in the NHL, anything can happen. Though the Maple Leafs would be a safe bet, one should never count out the Rangers, especially now. If the Blueshirts play like they did in their last two games and score like they usually do on the road, that's a dangerous team right there. A Toronto team with an offensive outburst against a high-scoring Rangers road team —this seems like a matchup no one's gonna wanna miss.
