Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Montreal

2009-10 Season Game No. 49 at Madison Square Garden
Sunday, 01.17.2010

Tonight's Game

The Rangers face-off against the Montreal Canadiens tonight at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.), in a matchup between Original Six opponents. The Blueshirts currently rank third in the Atlantic Division standings, and seventh in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 22-19-7 (51 pts.). The Rangers enter tonight's contest having been defeated by the St. Louis Blues, 4-1, last night at Scottrade Center, and have now recorded a point in 12 of their last 15 contests (8-3-4). The Canadiens enter the contest with a 23-22-4 (50 pts.) record, and rank ninth in the Eastern Conference. Following tonight's game, the Rangers will face-off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.), in their fifth game in eight days.

Tune In Tonight!
Tonight's game will be televised on MSG. You can also catch the radio broadcast on AM 970 The Apple and on satellite radio at XM 204.

Rangers vs. Canadiens Pre-Game Notes

* The Rangers rank 25th in the NHL at home with a record of 10-11-4 (24 pts.) in 25 games; the Canadiens have posted a record of 12-11-1 (25 pts.) in 24 road games to rank 13th in the league.

* New York have posted a record of 8-2-1 vs. the Northeast Division; Montreal have registered a 5-4-1 mark vs. the Atlantic Division.

* Henrik Lundqvist has posted a record of 0-0-1 with a 4.76 goals against average in one appearance vs. Montreal this season; Lundqvist is 9-4-2 with a 2.93 goals against average and one shutout in 16 career regular season contests vs. the Canadiens.

* Vinny Prospal leads the team with 15 goals and 32 points in 43 career regular season contests vs. Montreal; Wade Redden has tallied a team-high 23 assists and leads all defensemen with eight goals and 31 points in 63 career regular season appearances vs. the Canadiens.

* Redden notched a goal in his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 1996 vs. Montreal.

* New York lists two former Canadiens on its roster: Donald Brashear (1993-94 to 1996-97); Christopher Higgins (2003-04 to 2008-09).

* Montreal lists two former Rangers on its roster: Scott Gomez (2007-08 to 2008-09); Paul Mara (2006-07 to 2008-09).

All Time – Rangers vs. Canadiens
Overall: 187-313-94-3
At MSG: 123-120-54-1
At Montreal: 64-193-40-2

2009-10 - Rangers vs. Montreal
Oct. 24 Rangers 4, Canadiens 5 (OT) at Montreal
Jan. 17 Rangers vs. Canadiens at MSG
Jan. 23 Rangers vs. Canadiens at Montreal
March 16 Rangers vs. Canadiens at MSG

Upcoming Regular-Season Schedule
Jan. 17 Rangers vs. Montreal, 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 Rangers vs. Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 Rangers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 Rangers at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Injuries

* None

* The Rangers have lost 51 manpower games due to injury or illness this season.