The Rangers play the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight in Game One at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Rangers come into this game, beating the Washington Capitals in Washington on Saturday afternoon, whilst the Penguins' last game was against the Buffalo Sabres, whom they beat 2-0 to squeak into the playoffs.
The Rangers got news yesterday that Kevin Klein won’t be back for Game One and his status for the rest of the series is uncertain. The Penguins did not get more news on any of their injuries prior to Game One tonight, and although Rick Nash has the flu, he will play tonight, according to the Rangers website.
In the post-practice press conference yesterday, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was very jolly, laughing about the reporters' dealings with Rick Nash and him being rested versus being sick. Alain Vigneault said: “I will say to you (a reporter) all 16 teams that are in the playoffs are all going in with the same long term and that’s to win the Stanley Cup, everyone in the playoffs right now believes they can win and we are no different than anybody else.”
The Rangers players are excited to get their playoff run going, too. Tanner Glass said: “I’m sure it’ll (Madison Square Garden) be rocking tomorrow and I’m really excited to get going," whilst Henrik Lundqvist tweeted: “It’s back. @NHL playoffs…. It’s intense, challenging, and absolutely awesome.”