GREENBURGH, N.Y. _ In a preview of what could be a first-round matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the slipping Montreal Canadiens _ trying to regroup under new coach Claude Julien _ skate into Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
"I know Claude real well," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "His teams are going to be well-structured, he's had a couple practices coming in and there should be a real sense of urgency on their part."
The Rangers were hovering around .500 at home in late January, but five consecutive wins have lifted their record to 18-11-1.
In their only other match, on Jan. 14, before Julien, who was fired by the Bruins on Feb. 7, the Canadiens won, 5-4, at Bell Centre. Henrik Lundqvist, who will start Tuesday, allowed five goals on 22 shots in relief of Antti Raanta, who left with a lower-body injury after making 10 saves in the first period.
Lundqvist has since found his A-game, and the defense, including rookie Brady Skjei, is tightening.
"The number of times he went back for pucks and was able to beat the forecheck, it makes such a huge difference," Vigneault said. "Instead of playing 20 to 25 seconds defending, the puck's out, we're transitioning and going to the other end. Him and Mac right now, both of them have that ability, or to skate away from the pressure; it makes it a lot easier on our game."
Skjei, who also is contributing offensively, with a goal and nine assists in his last 13 games, said Monday: "I'm playing with a little more confidence; when I'm playing good, I hold on to the puck."
With 23 games remaining in the regular season, the Canadiens (2-7-1 in the last 10) are in first place in the Atlantic Division. The division winner would play the first wild card in the East, which the Rangers hold, and who have 24 games remaining.
But much can change. The Blueshirts, with 77 points, are only three from second place in the Metropolitan Division, and the Ottawa Senators are only two points behind the Canadiens with two games in hand.
