New York Rangers (32-16-3, first in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (14-35-2, eighth in the Central Division)
Chicago; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Rangers visit the Chicago Blackhawks after Jimmy Vesey scored two goals in the Rangers' 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Chicago has a 14-35-2 record overall and a 10-12-1 record in home games. The Blackhawks have gone 3-17-0 when they commit more penalties than their opponent.
New York is 32-16-3 overall and 15-9-3 in road games. The Rangers have scored 165 total goals (3.2 per game) to rank ninth in league play.
Friday's game is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Rangers won 4-1 in the last meeting. Vesey led the Rangers with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jason Dickinson has 15 goals and 10 assists for the Blackhawks. Seth Jones has one goal and three assists over the past 10 games.
Vincent Trocheck has 15 goals and 33 assists for the Rangers. Artemi Panarin has five goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blackhawks: 2-8-0, averaging one goal, 1.9 assists, 3.5 penalties and 8.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Rangers: 6-3-1, averaging three goals, 5.2 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Blackhawks: Anthony Beauvillier: out (wrist), Taylor Hall: out for season (knee), Andreas Athanasiou: out (groin), Connor Bedard: out (jaw), Connor Murphy: out (lower body), Nikita Zaitsev: out (knee).
Rangers: Filip Chytil: out for season (upper-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
