Rangers at Avalanche preview

RANGERS (24-17-5) at AVALANCHE (25-16-3)
3 p.m. ET; ALT, MSG, NHL.TV

The Avalanche, who have outscored opponents 34-13 during the streak, last won nine straight games Oct. 10-28, 2000. They have won seven straight at home, and are 13-3-1 in their past 16 games overall. Goaltender Jonathan
Bernier will try to win his eighth straight game.
Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo will take Kevin Shattenkirk's spot in the lineup. Shattenkirk (torn meniscus) will be sidelined indefinitely. DeAngelo was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday, where he has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 29 games.
New York begins four-game road trip and is looking to win its third straight game, something it hasn't done since Dec. 15-19.

Players to watch

Rangers forward Rick Nash has two goals in each of his past two games and six points (four goals, two assists) in his past four games.
Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in an eight-game point streak and five goals in a four-game goal streak.

They said it

"Injuries are a part of the NHL. Guys get sick, guys get hurt. Sometimes it's not long, sometimes it's longer. You've got to put, with your staff, the best lineup that you think gives you a chance to win. I'm looking forward to this group responding in the right way and playing the right way." -- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault
"It's been a lot of fun. Last year was the most frustrating and trying year I've ever had. Everyone is playing a big role on this team, and that's going to be important moving forward." -- Avalanche forward Blake Comeau

Rangers projected lineup

Rick Nash -- Mika Zibanejad -- Pavel Buchnevich
Mats Zuccarello -- J.T. Miller -- Vinni Lettieri
Michael Grabner -- Peter Holland -- Jesper Fast
Paul Carey --David Desharnais -- Jimmy Vesey
Ryan McDonagh -- Nick Holden
Brady Skjei -- Steven Kampfer
Brendan Smith -- Tony DeAngelo
Henrik Lundqvist
Ondrej Pavelec
Scratched:Daniel Catenacci
Injured: Kevin Hayes (leg contusion), Chris Kreider (blood clot, right arm), Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Marc Staal (hip flexor)

Avalanche projected lineup

Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Dominic Toninato -- Alex Kerfoot -- Nail Yakupov
Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau
Colin Wilson -- J.T. Compher -- Gabriel Bourque
Nikita Zadorov -- Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth -- Mark Barberio
Samuel Girard -- Anton Lindholm
Jonathan Bernier
Andrew Hammond
Scratched: A.J. Greer, David Warsofsky
Injured:Sven Andrighetto (lower body), Tyson Barrie (fractured hand), Tyson Jost (leg), Vladislav Kamenev (fractured arm), Semyon Varlamov (lower body)

Status report

Vigneault said that Hayes and Staal won't play but could play Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings ... The Rangers recalled Catenacci from Hartford, where he has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 23 games.

Stat pack

The Rangers are 5-2-2 in their past nine games against the Avalanche ... Colorado has killed 54 of 56 penalties in its past 17 games.