BY: DAVID KOLB | @DAVIDKOLBMSG
EDMONTON OILERS (7-2-1) @ NEW YORK RANGERS (7-3-0)
GAME COVERAGE BEGINS AT 6:30 PM ON MSG
SURGING OFFENSE
The Rangers have won their last two games (vs. Tampa Bay and St. Louis) by a combined score of 11-1. They currently lead the NHL in goals scored with 40 and own a plus-18 goal differential.
VESEY ON FIRE
Rangers rookie Jimmy Vesey is red-hot right now. The 23-year-old has five goals and three assists in his last six games. His six goals tie him with Toronto’s young phenom, Auston Matthews and Winnipeg’s sharpshooter, Patrik Laine for most goals by a rookie. Vesey hopes to keep pace in the rookie scoring race and could prosper tonight from the up-and-down style Edmonton likes to play.
KREIDER CRUISING AGAIN
Rangers winger Chris Kreider returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing four games and was brilliant against the Blues. Kreider tallied two assists and has nine points in the six games in this season. Kreider will try and take advantage of a top-heavy Oiler defense crew along with linemates Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello.
HOT OILERS ON BROADWAY
Despite losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday night in overtime, the Oilers have been the early surprise in the NHL this season. Their 7-2-1 record is currently the best in the Western Conference. Tonight’s game will be the Madison Square Garden debut of sophomore sensation, Connor McDavid, who has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 10 games.
MATCHUP MESS
The Oilers’ defense will face a tough test tonight going up against the Blueshirts’ skilled forwards. Their No. 1 defensive pairing, Adam Larsson and Oscar Klefbom, has been solid and No. 3 defenseman, Kris Russell, is a plus-6 through 10 games, but there are questions about the team’s other blueliners.