Oct 26, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) collides with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers are in town for their first and only trip to Anaheim this season. They are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
The Ducks are looking to keep their momentum going after a 6-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. This will be the first time defenseman Jacob Trouba will face the Rangers since being traded to the Ducks last December.
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“Kind of approaching it as another game,” Trouba said. “Good to see some friends last night, but just another game.”
“Always good catching up with someone like that,” Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad said. “That’s a part of the business that you move on from teammates like that in terms of playing on the same team. Just a great human being with a great family.”
Feb 15, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) and forward Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrate a goal by forward Chris Kreider (20) against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Rangers have lost eight of their last 11 games, but are still in contention for a Wild Card spot in the East.
“We need wins, so whatever it takes to win,” former Duck Sam Carrick said. “It’s not always gonna be pretty. We’ve learned that lesson throughout the year and we just gotta find a way. It starts with defense. We can’t be giving up as many chances as we have been. If we can lock down defensively, I think we have enough offensive power in here that we can find ways to score. It’s about preventing goals and playing playoff-style hockey.”
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“You want to win every game you get dressed for and play in,” Trouba said. “I don’t really view it as trying to put a wrench in their (playoff) plans. You’re playing the game to win it and we want to continue to build over these last 10-11 games what we wanna kind of roll into the summer with and kind of build what goes into next year.”
“I told our group this morning (that) there’s gonna be more defensemen involved in the rush and the offensive zone tonight than we’ve seen for 90 percent of the games,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said. “(Adam) Fox kind of headlines that, but they all get in and out of the zone. We’ve got to really defend well if we’re gonna have a chance to win.”
Ducks Projected Lines
Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Alex KillornFrank Vatrano – Ryan Strome – Troy TerryTrevor Zegras – Mason McTavish – Sam Colangelo
Jansen Harkins – Isac Lundeström – Nikita Nesterenko
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Jackson LaCombe – Radko GudasOlen Zellweger – Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov – Drew Helleson
John Gibson (projected)
Rangers Projected Lines
Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Brennan OthmannAlexis Lafrenière – J.T. Miller – Jonny BrodzinskiChris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Will Cuylle
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel – Sam Carrick – Jusso Parssinen
K’Andre Miller – Will BorgenCarson Soucy – Adam Fox
Zac Jones – Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin (confirmed)
