Tonight’s game against the Diablos is game one of the Blueshirts longest homestand of the year. Long homestands have been good to the Rangers in recent years as they have not finished below .500.

It’s safe to say that in facing his old Jersey mates Scott Gomez (2-1-3) has to come up big tonight. Eight games into the season and Gomez has done nothing to earn the admiration of the Blueshirts faithful while collecting his millions.

MIA for the Blueshirts tonight are agitator Sean Avery, Martin Straka and Ryan Callahan. The Devils are also battling the injury bug with Colin White, Jamie Langenbrunner and Cam Janssens out of tonight’s lineup. Langenbrunner owned the Blueshirts last year leading the Devils in scoring with three goals and nine points.

As expected, Tomas Pock cleared waivers and was assigned to the Wolf Pack earlier today. There was no room for Pock on the crowded Blueshirts blue line. Pock dressed in only one game this year against Atlanta and the time down in Hartford will help him hone his skills and make a contribution on the farm while gaining valuable ice time. Defense has not been the Rangers problem this year.

The Diablos (3-4-1) sit two points ahead of the Blueshirts and a victory tonight will give the home side some much needed confidence by picking up ground on a divisional foe. The Rangers sport a 5-2-1 record against their Hudson River rivals in the last eight meetings at MSG. Let’s hope the Diablos are looking ahead to their first home game of the season Saturday night against the Senators.

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