The New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks will both attempt to opening losses when the clubs meet for today's battle at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Ducks and Rangers are among the four NHL teams that are starting their NHL seasons with two games in Europe, but both squads wound up on the losing end on Friday. Anaheim was dealt a 4-1 setback by Buffalo in Helsinki, while the Rangers earned a point in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Stockholm. The Sabres and Kings will also square off in Berlin, Germany today to complete the NHL's European stint.
The Rangers were handed a 3-2 setback by the Kings, who received a strong outing by Mike Richards in his LA debut. The former Philadelphia captain scored the tying goal in the latter stages of regulation and set up Jack Johnson's game-winner in overtime.
New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 shots in defeat. The Swedish netminder would like to get a win today before his club departs his native country. However, Lundqvist and the Rangers won't get to play in front of their own fans at Madison Square Garden until October 27.
Marian Gaborik had a goal for the Rangers and the tally gave New York a 2-1 lead midway through the third before Richards evened the game later in that period.
Centerman Brad Richards, who was signed by New York to a nine-year, $60 million contract this summer, picked up an assist for his first point as a Ranger.
New York was without Marc Staal in the opener and the defenseman will also miss today's contest in Stockholm. Staal is dealing with post-concussion symptoms and did not make the trip to Sweden.
The Rangers hope their recent history against Anaheim can help them pick up their first win of the year. New York has won four of six and six of the last nine meetings in this series.
Anaheim suffered a decisive loss in Helsinki on Friday, as Buffalo's Thomas Vanek torched the Ducks for two goals and an assist.
Nate Guenin scored the lone goal for Anaheim, while hometown heroes Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu were a combined minus-two for the Ducks.
Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller made 21 saves on 25 shots in his first game action since missing most of the second half of last season with vertigo-like symptoms.
After today, the Ducks' next game is scheduled for Friday in Anaheim against San Jose. The Rangers won't play again until next Saturday's road test against the rival New York Islanders.
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