Can the New York Rangers Gain Momentum Against the Dallas Stars?
The New York Rangers will face the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center at 8 p.m. EST, holding an 8-7-0 record on the road. Meanwhile, the Stars have been dominant at home, with an impressive 13-3-0 record. The Rangers desperately need to gain momentum to break their losing streak and remain competitive in the Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, The Stars aim to solidify their position in third place in the Central Division standings and continue to climb up within the Western Conference. With Artemi Panarin driving New York’s offense and Matt Duchene at the top in Dallas with 30 points, this matchup will be an exciting yet tactical inter-conference showdown.
The Dallas Stars’ offense has been finding its rhythm, with Matt Duchene leading the team with 15 goals and 30 points this season. The veteran captain, Jamie Benn, now holds the record for most games played in Dallas Stars history. The Stars have been steadily building momentum, remaining among the top contenders in the Western Conference and competing for the top spot in the Central Division standings. The Rangers will need top defense from Adam Fox, who leads the team in assists with 24, and a lively offensive performance to move their way up the Metropolitan Division standings in the Eastern Conference.
The Rangers will look to their veteran stars to lead the way, with Artemi Panarin leading the team with 15 goals and 36 points, Adam Fox contributing 24 assists, and Mika Zibanejad expected to step up as a key leader. These contributions are even more critical after the team’s decision to trade away their captain, Jacob Trouba, and, most recently, loyal forward Kaapo Kakko to the Kraken. In return, the Rangers welcome defenseman Will Borgen, who joins the team at a challenging and pivotal point in the season. Borgen’s controversial arrival presents an opportunity to stabilize their defense as they navigate this transitional period.
In net, the Rangers will hope to have 2022 Vezina Trophy Winner Igor Shesterkin, who recently signed a hefty eight-year extension, making him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history. Shesterkin has been a key component for the Rangers’ success in the 2023-2024 season. This year, his .908 save percentage has been lower than his usual elite standards. With high expectations in New York, Shesterkin is expected to perform at a level that reflects his contract. Facing Jake Oettinger, a key contributor to the Stars’ success this season, has also struggled recently, allowing four goals on just 12 shots before being replaced on Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs. Oettinger will want to regain his form and perform at a high level, while Shesterkin hopes to show his capabilities.
Last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners have not lived up to expectations thus far. Laviolette, who has now coached the Rangers for three seasons, has faced his fair share of challenges. The 60-year-old has coached in the NHL for over two decades, with previous head coaching jobs including the Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes. Despite leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the team’s underwhelming performance this year has raised questions about Laviolette’s future. The Rangers hope to get their 2024 season back on track, aiming to build momentum one game at a time.
