The New York Rangers are playing an afternoon game against the Arizona Coyotes in the desert.
Following a significant victory in Denver, the New York Rangers are riding high. With their playoff berth secured and the magic number to clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference reduced to just 11 points, the Rangers are eager to assert their dominance against one of the league’s lower-ranked teams, the Arizona Coyotes. Securing another two points tonight would propel the Rangers into prime position to claim the Eastern Conference title and secure home ice advantage throughout the playoffs, should they advance.
The return of Ryan Lindgren in the triumph over Colorado provided a much-needed boost to the Rangers’ defensive lineup. However, there’s still uncertainty surrounding the availability of Erik Gustafsson and Jacob Trouba, both of whom are nursing injuries. Nonetheless, if the Rangers can maintain their winning streak in their absence, they stand to strengthen their position at the summit of the NHL standings.
As the Rangers hit the ice today, they face a unique setting. Mullett Arena, with a seating capacity of just 4,600, is notably smaller than NHL-standard arenas. This distinctive environment presents a challenge that the Rangers must overlook. Given their tendency for slow starts, allowing the unfamiliar surroundings to overwhelm them early on could prove detrimental. Instead, it’s imperative for the Rangers to seize control from the outset and assert their dominance against the Coyotes.
