Rangers-Panthers Preview
After falling just short of the franchise record for consecutive wins this week, the New York Rangers turn their attention to another streak.
The Rangers hope to rebound from their first loss in nearly four weeks Saturday night when they visit the Florida Panthers, a team they haven't lost to in more than 2 1/2 years.
New York (14-3-2) is 6-0-0 against Florida over the last two seasons, including three wins at BB&T Center. The Rangers are 10-2-0 in the last 12 in this series, owning a 45-23 advantage on the scoreboard.
New York can match its longest current winning streak against any opponent with another victory over the Panthers, tying seven-game spurts versus Buffalo and Carolina.
Another win would also help the Rangers regroup from Thursday's 2-1 loss at Tampa Bay, which cut short their bid at matching the franchise record of 10 consecutive victories accomplished in 1939-40 and 1972-73.
A power-play blunder led to Valtteri Filppula's short-handed goal with 1:05 left in the third period. Both Lightning goals came off New York turnovers.
''It doesn't matter how many games you win, when you play you want to win every game,'' goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said. ''This one, the way we lose, it's extremely frustrating.''
Goaltending and goal-scoring made New York dynamic during its streak, but the Rangers struggled to find opportunities against the Lightning - failing to score more than one goal for the first time since they totaled two during an Oct. 13-18 three-game losing streak.
Mats Zuccarello, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash were each plus-5 in the previous four games on the Rangers' first line, but they failed to make an impact against the Lightning to finish at minus-1. Zuccarello has five goals and six assists in 11 career games against the Panthers, while Brassard has six goals and two assists in 12 and Nash six goals and seven assists in 17.
Florida goalie Roberto Luongo has been sharp in his last two outings, blanking Tampa Bay with 39 saves in a 1-0 win on Monday and stopping 38 of 40 shots in a 3-1 loss against Anaheim on Thursday.
Luongo has lost three straight against the Rangers, though, with a 5.16 goals against average and .818 save percentage. His 2.93 GAA in 23 career appearances against New York is his second worst behind only a 3.01 versus the Ducks.
Despite Luongo's solid play in net, the Panthers (8-8-3) split the first two of a five-game homestand. After scoring 11 goals in their previous three games, the Panthers have struggled in their last two - returning to the offensive form that produced seven goals during an 0-3-2 slump from Oct. 30-Nov. 7.
''(Luongo) kept us in the game as long as he could,'' coach Gerard Gallant said. ''It's about putting pucks to net and we refused to do that. We were passing up shots to make fancy passes and they never work.''
Florida is 5-4-1 at BB&T Center, while the Rangers are 5-2-1 away from home.
Lundqvist holds a 1.81 career GAA and .937 save percentage against the Panthers, winning his last five starts.