NY Rangers (0-0) at Chicago (0-0)
When: Wednesday, October 7th, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
Time: 8:05 ET
TV: NBCS Radio: XM 219
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The Chicago Blackhawks will open their 2015-2016 season as the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The finished last year as the third best team in their division, but were the only team in the West to allow less than 200 goals. Corey Crawford is back in goal this year and the offense will be once again led by Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Jonathan Toews. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook lead the defense in front of Crawford. Coach Joel Quenneville will enter his 8th season in Chicago. He is 316-155-65 overall with three Stanley Cups. The Blackhawks top newcomers to the team will be Center Artem Anisimov and Defenseman Trevor Daley.
The New York Rangers had the best record in the NHL last season, but lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Lightning in 7 games. The Rangers were another team like the Blackhawks to allow less than 200 goals. Henrik Lundqvist was 30-13 last year with a 2.25 GAA and .922 save percentage. LW Rick Nash returns with his 42 goals and +29 last year. Alain Vigneault will enter his 3rd season as Rangers head coach. He’ll be hungry to get the Rangers back to the Stanley Cup after coming up just short last year. Center Jarrett Stoll and RW Emerson Etem will join New York this year in hopes of doing just that. This will be the eighth straight year the Rangers have opened the season on the road.
There will be a lot of emotion in the building with the lowering of the banners, but I think the Rangers have a chip on their shoulder and are hungry to get back to the Stanley Cup this year. I think they start off strong with a road win tonight.
Pick: Rangers +116
