Thursday, March 13th, 2014 5:00 PM on NHL, MSG, FSN

Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

When Minnesota visited the Rangers in their last meeting, the Rangers were in middle of a poor nine game home stand, the longest in Rangers history. With Henrik Lundqvist in net, the Rangers were going into the seventh game of their home stretch with only 2 of a possible 14 points. A switch-over to backup goalie Cam Talbot may have been just what the Rangers needed.

Talbot only let in one goal, by Jason Pominville, while making 24 saves and leading the Rangers to a 4-1 victory. Benoit Pouliot had a key power-play goal for the Rangers in the first, which catapulted the Rangers the rest of the game. In the second period, Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello added to the score, making it a 3-1 game. Then in the third, with 7:14 remaining Chris Kreider scored to put the nail in the coffin.

Niklas Backstrom, the backup goalie for the Wild, made his second straight start since Josh Harding had been out with Sclerosis problems. He managed to stop 32 shots of 36, but it would not be enough. Ryan Suter for the Wild managed to add to his 5 game assist streak making it 6 games, which is his longest since his last six game assist streak with Nashville back in 2011.

ATS Trends

New York is 19-12 straight up on the road this season

New York is 12-14-5 against the over/under on the road this season

Minnesota is 22-11 straight up at home this season

Minnesota is 10-15-8 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

New York

03/12/14 GO Henrik Lundqvist Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Minnesota

Minnesota

03/12/14 LW Jason Zucker Leg out indefinitely
03/05/14 GO Niklas Backstrom Abdominal out for season
01/06/14 GO Josh Harding Illness out indefinitely

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