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NHL on NBCSN: Blackhawks host Rangers on Rivalry Night

Chicago Blackhawks v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 3 : Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhawks is surrounded by teammates after scoring against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 3, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Sharp

Jeff Zelevansky

NBCSN continues its coverage of the 2013-14 campaign tonight when the Chicago Blackhawks host the New York Rangers at the United Center at 8:00 p.m. ET. In addition to NBCSN, you can also watch the game online.

The Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers haven’t faced each other since March 2012 in Chicago. For all the things that have changed since then, most of the faces on the ice are still the same.

The key difference this time around comes with the Rangers and their battle to be a playoff team in the Metropolitan Division. The one consistent thing about them of late is how inconsistent they’ve been. In their past 11 games, they’ve gone 6-3-2 with five shootouts mixed in with only one of those against a Western Conference team. That means they’re helping dole out extra standings points to foes in the East and that surely won’t help at the end of the season.

Florida Panthers v New York Rangers

<> at Madison Square Garden on November 10, 2013 in New York City.

Maddie Meyer

For the Rangers to get things turned around they’ll need their superstars to play the way they’re capable of. Henrik Lundqvist has had an off season posting career-worst numbers in save percentage and goals-against average. Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan have dealt with injuries which has hampered their numbers, but they still need to be better.

Having Mats Zuccarello and Brad Richards lead the team in scoring probably wasn’t something the Rangers counted on this season, but that’s how things are right now. If the star players can get things going, fortunes will change quickly in the Big Apple.

As for the Blackhawks, they’re 4-0-3 in their last seven games with losses to the Blues, Sharks, and Islanders. We’ve raved recently about their offense and none of that’s changed in the past two days. Patrick Kane is still dominant, Patrick Sharp is still piling up very handsome goals, and they’re still getting great play from Duncan Keith on the blue line.

What’s not to like lately? Average goaltending.

Over that seven-game stretch, they’ve allowed 17 goals. While they had a 1-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Kings mixed in, there’s no doubt coach Joel Quenneville would like to see Corey Crawford and Antti Raanta step their game up.

Of course, this is just a minor complaint considering how well the Blackhawks have played this season, but they’ve got competition atop the Central Division and Western Conference. The St. Louis Blues trail them by two points in the Central and they’re two points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the top spot overall in the West.

Every point counts out West so they can’t afford to even slip up and lose in overtime or a shootout. No stress though, gang.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT