Preview: The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers will battle on Friday night at the Madison Square Garden. The Canadiens are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference; while New York is seventh. The Canadiens are 7-3 in their last ten games, coming off a loss to Washington.
The Rangers have won two straight to propel them to four points ahead of the final postseason spot. The Rangers beat the Islanders on Tuesday. Montreal is scoring 2.6 goals per game and allowing 2.5. The Canadiens are led in scoring by center Tomas Plekanec. With 32 assists and 21 goals, he leads the team with 53 points.
Montreal trails Boston by just four points for the lead in the Northeast Division. The New York Rangers are outscoring opponents 2.8 – 2.4 on the season. Brandon Dubinsky leads the Rangers offensive attack with 26 assists and 20 goals. New York is just one win away from matching last year’s win total of 38. The Rangers will win this game at home.