Ducks – Rangers preview

Season series: This is the first meeting of the season between the cross-country combatants. The Rangers took both meetings last season, including a 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden in late January.

Big Story: After losing to the defending Stanley Cup-champion Penguins on the night they raised their banner, the Rangers have won three straight against the Senators, Devils and Capitals. The Ducks, playing their second game in less than 24 hours, are on a two-game win streak of their own.

Team Scope:

Ducks – Confidence was high to start this season after a postseason run that saw the Ducks come within one goal of eliminating the Red Wings. And following an 0-1-1 start, Anaheim has responded with a decisive win at Boston and a come-from-behind shootout victory in Philadelphia.

Rangers – There’s been a little something different in each of their three victories. They won an up-and-down, fast-paced game with Ottawa, figured out a way to edge the defensive-minded Devils, and rallied on the road to beat Alex Ovechkin and the high-flying Capitals. Wins are always a nice way to get the players to believe in a coach.

Full game preview here