The Rangers (9-3-0, 18 points) scored two shorthanded goals from Derek Stepan and Kevin Hayes in a 5-2 win over the Bruins in Boston last night. Pavel Buchnevich scored his first NHL goal and Nick Holden notched his first goal as a Rangers in the victory. Goaltender Antti Raanta finished with 35 saves for his third win in as many games this season.
The win was the team's fourth straight, and even more impressive is the fact it's scored five or more goals in each victory. The Rangers have 50 goals though 12 games this season and leads the NHL with 4.17 goals per game this year.
In addition to the pair of shorthanded goals last night, the Rangers' penalty kill went a perfect 3-for-3, while the power play went 1-for-3, with Buchnevich's goal coming late in the third period to ice the game.
The Rangers have made the most of its home-heavy start to the 2016-17 season, going 7-1 through eight games and have outscored opponents 37-17 at The Garden.
Henik Lundqvist will get the start for the Rangers after backing up Saturday night in Boston. Lundqvist is 12-9-7 with a 2.19 GAA and a .920 SV% with three shutouts in 29 games against the Jets/ Atlanta Thrashers. This season, Lundqvist is 6-3 with a 2.24 GAA and a .913 SV% with one shutout.
Sunday night marks the first of two meetings between the Jets (5-6-1, 11 points), and the only one at Madison Square Garden. Last season, the Rangers lost both games against Winnipeg.
The Jets wrap up a three-game road trip with the Rangers Sunday night and are coming off a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings Friday night.
Winnipeg is a team stacked with young talent, including leading scorer Mark Scheifele, who has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 12 games, as well as Patrik Laine, the second overall pick from last year's NHL Draft. Laine has seven goals and 10 assists through 12 games.
The Jets have relied on two goalies early on in Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson. Hellebuyck is 3-3 with a .913 save percentage, while Hutchinson is 2-3-1 with a .901 SV%.
