Game Preview: New York Rangers @ Chicago Blackhawks 12/7
For the second time in four days the Rangers will face the Blackhawks — this time in Chicago.
The New York Rangers are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a Saturday evening win over the Blackhawks. They now travel to Chicago to face them again, this time at the United Center.
For Chicago, Marc-André Fleury will play his 900th career regular-season game tonight in hopes of picking up his 500th career victory — two numbers that bolster his future Hall of Fame candidacy.
The matchup features the two Strome brothers and two good friends: Chicago’s Patrick Kane and the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin. They skated on a line together and found tremendous success when Panarin initially came over to the NHL and have remained friends.
Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin chatting before morning skate. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OrgvQRhrID
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 7, 2021
Goaltending Matchup
Chicago: Marc-André Fleury
Last 4 Stars: 2-2-0, .918 sv pct
New York: Alexandar Georgiev
Last 4 Games: 2-0-0, .889 sv pct
Chicago Players to Watch
Brandon Hagel, LW
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts
Alex DeBrincat, LW
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 Pts
Seth Jones, D
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 6 A, 7 Pts
Rangers Players to Watch
Adam Fox, D
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 6 A, 7 Pts
Artemi Panarin, LW
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 4 A, 7 Pts — 3 GWG
Mika Zibanejad, C
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts
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Tab has written about MLB, the NHL and the NFL for more than a decade for publications including The Fourth Period, Bleacher Report and La Vida Baseball. He is the author of two books about the Chicago Blackhawks and has been credentialed for the MLB All-Star Game and postseason and multiple Stanley Cup Finals. He is the co-host of the Line Drive Radio podcast.
