The New York Rangers play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six matchup tonight at MSG. After 20 minutes the game is scoreless. Playing an uptempo game the Blueshirts outshot the Leafs 11-5 in the frame. The Rangers penalty killing unit, ranked seventh in the league, successfully killed off the only powerplay in the period when Nigel Dawes was in the box for hooking.

Winners of five of the last seven meetings between the two clubs, the Blueshirts are the polar opposite to the Leafs. Whereas the Rangers can’t score goals (a league low 15) the Leafs lead the league with 42 goals scored. Leading the way for the Leafs is captain Mats Sundin (6-12-18). Sundin is second in the league in scoring and is currently riding a four game scoring streak with three goals and five helpers in that span.

The Rangers defense coming off a 2-0 shutout over Jersey Thursday night lead the league with a team 1.76GAA allowing only 17 goals on the year. The Leafs on the other hand have given up 44 goals. Vesa Toskala, touted as a goaltending savior when the Leafs traded for him this summer is 3-3-1 with a 3.67GAA and .890SV.

The Blueshirts are 3-1 at MSG this year while the Leafs have one road victory in three games away from the Air Canada Centre.

On the injury front, Darcy Tucker is out for the Leafs with a knee injury, Bryan McCabe and Kyle Wellwood are also sitting out tonight nursing tender groins. The Blueshirts are still without the services of Sean Avery, Martin Straka and Ryan Callahan

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