RANGERS (24-12-1) at COYOTES (11-19-5)
9 p.m. ET; FS-A PLUS, MSG, NHL.TV
Rangers team scope
Goalie Antti Raanta will make his sixth start in 10 games for the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist will be the backup after missing the Rangers' 4-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday because of the flu. Raanta made 33 saves in the win. The Rangers, who held an optional morning skate Thursday, have won six straight against the Arizona Coyotes while outscoring them 24-11, including a 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 23. Their 11 road wins are tied with the Calgary Flames for most in the NHL. The Rangers' 121 goals are second in the League behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (127), and they have five players with 10 or more.
Coyotes team scope
The Coyotes have lost five in a row and are 29th in the League with 27 points, two ahead of the Colorado Avalanche. "There's no question it's frustrating," defenseman Luke Schenn said. "There are spurts when the effort is there and it comes down to puck luck. No one feels sorry for us and we're the only ones who can change the result." The Coyotes are 3-9-3 in their past 15 games while scoring 27 goals (1.8 per game) The Coyotes had 81 shots blocked or miss the net in their past two games. "I don't think the answer isn't trading chances with the Rangers," Schenn said. Forward Martin Hanzal needs one point to become the 17th player in Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets history with 300 NHL points. Goalie Mike Smith (illness) did not practice Wednesday but will make his 12th straight start. "He feels like he missed a lot of hockey early in the season [to injury] and he still wants to push forward," coach Dave Tippett said. Forward Josh Jooris will play his first game against the Rangers since the Coyotes claimed him off waivers from the Rangers on Dec. 11.
Rangers projected lineup
Chris Kreider -- Derek Stepan -- Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner -- Kevin Hayes -- J.T. Miller
Jimmy Vesey -- Oscar Lindberg -- Jesper Fast
Matt Puempel -- Marek Hrivik -- Brandon Pirri
Antti Raanta
Henrik Lundqvist
Scratched: Adam Clendening
Injured: Pavel Buchnevich (back), Rick Nash (groin), Mika Zibanejad (broken fibula)
Coyotes projected lineup
Jamie McGinn -- Jordan Martinook -- Radim Vrbata
Brendan Perlini -- Peter Holland -- Shane Doan
Tobias Rieder -- Martin Hanzal -- Anthony Duclair
Lawson Crouse -- Christian Dvorak -- Josh Jooris
Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- Connor Murphy
Alex Goligoski -- Anthony DeAngelo
Jakob Chychrun -- Luke Schenn
Mike Smith
Scratched: Kevin Connauton, Michael Stone
Injured: Max Domi (upper body), Brad Richardson (broken leg), Ryan White (lower body)
Status report
Nash skated to test a groin injury that has sidelined him the past three games. He hopes to skate harder on his own Friday but told the New York Daily News he remains a little while away from returning. Lundqvist said he is feeling better and is available, and hopes to be ready to start at the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Rangers returned goalie Brandon Halverson to Hartford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. ... White skated Thursday but will miss his third straight game. The Coyotes will dress 12 forwards after using seven defensemen in their past two games.
Who's hot
Stepan has four goals and three assists in his past four games and 14 points in his past 13 games. Kreider has five goals in five career games against the Coyotes. … Vrbata has scored five goals in his past three games against the Rangers as a member of the Coyotes.
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