The New York Rangers are set to host the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden in hopes of securing their first home victory of the season. Both teams are eager to turn their disappointing starts around; the Rangers have managed just three wins in their first eight games, while the Sharks are still in search of their inaugural win of the year.
One area of concern for the Rangers has been their power play, which currently stands at a lowly 15 percent, ranking as the seventh worst in the NHL. This has prompted head coach Mike Sullivan to emphasize improvement in practice, as a more effective power play could be key to the team’s success moving forward. On a brighter note, standout goaltender Igor Shesterkin is anticipated to be in goal for the Rangers. Shesterkin has had an impressive start to the season, leading the league in both goals against average and save percentage.
Fans should also keep an eye on forward Matt Rempe, who has been making a noticeable impact during games. At 6’8″, his size is daunting, and despite the lack of points, he has been instrumental in generating scoring opportunities in every shift he plays. Notably, Rempe has shown significant discipline on the ice, serving only two minutes in penalties through the first eight games, a stark contrast to the 24 minutes he incurred during the same timeframe last season. If he continues to perform at this level, his contributions could be invaluable to the team in critical moments.
As the Rangers look to improve their standings, this matchup against the Sharks presents an opportunity for both teams to begin their comeback. Fans are encouraged to rally behind the team as they aim for a much-needed victory. Enjoy the game!