NY Rangers @ Florida Panthers

Wednesday, Nov. 26

7:30 p.m., Bank Atlantic Center

Rangers Record: 12-10-1

Panthers Record: 9-11-0

After a day off for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Rangers will take on the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida at the Bank Atlantic Center on Friday. The Rangers, coming off a tough loss against the Tampa Bay Lightening on Wednesday night, will look to up their game against the slumping Panthers, only 1-3 in their last four games.

Luckily, there were some positive aspects to come out of Wednesday’s loss for the Rangers. Rookie forward Derek Stepan extended his scoring streak to five games (2G, 4A), and forward Brian Boyle scored a goal in his second-straight game to increase his season-total to 10, which is already the most he has ever scored in an NHL season. It will be interesting to see the roles Coach John Tortorella give to these two, formerly considered fringe players, especially as the team’s injured players come closer to returning.

The Rangers continue to deal with injuries to captain Chris Drury, forward Vinny Prospal and defenseman Michal Roszival. Florida forwards Steve Bernier, Byron Bitz and Rostislav Olesz remain on Injured Reserve.

The goaltending match-up will pit New York’s Henrik Lundqvist, coming off an extremely frustrating game in which he gave up five goals and took a penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Diving), against Thomas Vokun, coming off an equally frustrating 35-save loss. This game should be impassioned as each goalie looks to return to form and prove his talent.

Be sure to tune in to this annual Thanksgiving-week match-up!