Wild-New York Rangers game preview: Metropolitan-leading Rangers have high-scoring top line
The Wild is 6-0-1 in its past seven games as it begins a two-game swing in New York.
January 27, 2022 at 11:35PM
7 p.m., Madison Square Garden BSN, 100.3-FM
Wild update: They are 6-0-1 in their past seven games. ... They are third in the league in goals per game (3.82). ... RW Kirill Kaprizov, averaging 1.32 points per game, is on pace to become the first Wild player with 100 points in a season. Marian Gaborik has the record with 83 in 2007-08. ... D Jon Merrill and C Nico Sturm are both out because of COVID-19. ... D Jonas Brodin (upper body) will return to the lineup; his defensive partner, Matt Dumba, will skate in his 500th NHL game.
Rangers update: They lead the Metropolitan Division at 28-12-4. ... D Adam Fox, who won the Norris Trophy last season, is the team's leading scorer with 47 points but will miss the game because of an upper body injury. ... The top line of Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and C Mika Zibanejad have combined for 58 goals and 76 assists. ... Igor Shesterkin (2.07 goals-against average) and Alexandar Georgiev (2.96) share goaltending duties. ... RW Kaapo Kakko (upper body) is out. ... Ex-Gophers D Ryan Lindgren leads the team with a +17. ... The Rangers will retire the number 30 of G Henrik Lundqvist before the game.
The star forward came back from a brief injury absence, and two goals from Frederick Gaudreau helped Minnesota to another road victory.
