RANGERS (17-17-7) at GOLDEN KNIGHTS (26-15-4) 10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SN360, SNE, SNO, SNP, ATTSN-RM, MSG+, NHL.TV
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start for the Golden Knights, who have a point in their past nine games (7-0-2) and are on an 11-game point streak at home (9-0-2). Backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev will start for the Rangers, who have lost three-games while being outscored 18-3. Starter Henrik Lundqvist has allowed 11 goals in his past two starts and has been pulled in each.
Players to watch
Rangers forward Chris Kreider has eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past eight games, but none in his past three games. Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch has seven points (two goals, five assists) during a six-game point streak.
They said it
"His frustration level is no higher than any of ours. Because he's the goalie, he has more of a microscope, but we're all frustrated with what's transpired over the last three games." -- Rangers coach David Quinn on Henrik Lundqvist, who will back up Alexandar Georgiev "We're past the halfway point, and every game is tough. Teams are focusing on you more than they did at the beginning of the year. It's all about getting better and peaking at the right time."-- Golden Knights forward Brandon Pirri
Pirri was recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey League on Monday and will replace Carrier, who was placed on injured reserve. ... Pacioretty will replace Smith (day to day) on the first line. ... Hayes will miss his third straight game.
Stat pack
Pirri has six goals in seven games with the Golden Knights this season. ... Vesey is expected to play his 200th NHL game. … Fleury is 8-0-3 in his past 11 starts with a 2.34 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. … Vegas has outscored opponents 19-7 during its winning streak. ... The Golden Knights last lost a home game in regulation Nov. 16 (4-1 against the St. Louis Blues).
