BY: DAVID KOLB
NEW YORK RANGERS (20-10-1) @ DALLAS STARS (12-13-6)
Live game coverage begins at 8 PM on MSG
FIRST OF TWO
The Rangers open up a two-game road trip tonight in Dallas as they take on the Stars for the first of two games the clubs will play against each other this season. The Blueshirts swept the season series last season from the Stars, as Rick Nash led the way with three points in the two games played.
REGAINING HIS THRONE
Henrik Lundqvist will be back between the pipes tonight for the Blueshirts after backup Antti Raanta got the nod for four straight games. āThe Kingā begins the night with a 12-8-1 record with a 2.55 goals against average. In five career road appearances versus Dallas, Lundqvist has posted a 4-1-0 record along with a 2.17 goals against average.
SCORINā SEGUIN
In Tuesday’s 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Tyler Seguin registered two assists, giving him three goals and four assists in seven games in December. The 24-year-old slick skating forward takes this ice tonight leading the Stars in points this season, with 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points.
STEP-ING UP
After a somewhat slow start, Derek Stepan has resumed his role as one of the Blueshirtsā top-scorers, as heās tallied seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last seven games. Stepan begins the night tied for the team lead in assists with 16 and has provided six helpers while on the power play.
VESEY FIRING
Jimmy Vesey is continuing his fine freshman season and is now one of three NHL rookies who have potted at least 10 goals this season (Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews). Vesey has two goals in his past four games and has fired an impressive 15 shots during that span, including seven against the Blackhawks Tuesday.