The New York Rangers haven’t won four consecutive games in 17 months, and they’ll try to extend their current streak to four when they face the Minnesota Wild Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
The Rangers (27-30-8) last achieved a four-game win streak early last season during a 5-0-1 start but ultimately collapsed and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This season has been slow to gain traction, but things are improving: they’ve gone 5-1-2 since the Olympic break and recently notched three wins in a row over the Flyers, Flames, and Jets.
Coach Mike Sullivan praised the team’s recent performance: “It’s nice they can feel good about what’s going on around here.” Their 6-3 win over Winnipeg extended a streak of scoring at least three goals in seven straight games. The Rangers are also finding success on the road, tied for third in the Eastern Conference with 18 road victories.
The Wild (38-16-12) provide a stiffer challenge. They rank third in the Central Division, tied for third overall in the NHL with 88 points, a plus-34 goal differential, and the fourth-lowest goals-against average (2.77). Minnesota features two 30-goal scorers in Kirill Kaprizov (38) and Matt Boldy (37), along with standout defenseman Quinn Hughes. The teams also had trade talks involving Vincent Trocheck, though no deal was reached.
Key Storylines
1. J.T. Miller Returns
Miller, turning 33, will rejoin the lineup after missing five games with an upper-body injury. He will skate on the second line with Trocheck and Cuylle and return to the top power-play unit. Sullivan emphasized Miller’s all-around impact and leadership.
2. Young Players Making an Impact
Rookie Gabe Perreault leads a wave of Rangers youngsters performing well. Five of the Rangers’ last six goals against Winnipeg came from players 25 or younger, showing energy and confidence in the lineup.
3. Braden Schneider’s Growth
Defenseman Braden Schneider has contributed four assists in his last five games, playing alongside Will Borgen on the second defensive pair. Schneider is gradually finding consistency following offseason surgery and a career-high 20:25 average ice time this season.
Rangers Projected Lineup
Forwards: Lafreniere – Zibanejad – Perreault | Miller – Trocheck – Cuylle | Kartye – Laba – Sheary | Edstrom – Parssinen – Raddysh
Defense: Gavrikov – Fox | Borgen – Schneider | Robertson – Vaakanainen
Goalies: Shesterkin | Quick
Game Info:
- When: Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m. ET
- Where: Xcel Energy Center
- Watch: MSG
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