New York Rangers Host San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden: Key Matchup and Predictions

The New York Rangers are set to host the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, November 14, in a highly anticipated NHL matchup. This game marks the Rangers’ final home contest before they embark on a four-game road trip to the West Coast, starting with a game against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday[2][4].

The Rangers, with a record of 9-4-1, have not fully capitalized on their home advantage, standing at 4-3-1 on home ice. Despite this, they have been more successful on the road, boasting a 5-1-0 record. The team is looking to bounce back from a 6-3 loss to the league-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, a game that highlighted defensive issues but also showed promising offensive play[2][4][6].

The San Jose Sharks, currently 5-9-3, are on the third game of a four-game road trip. They recently shut out the New Jersey Devils 1-0 and then lost a 4-3 shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers after erasing a 3-0 deficit. The Sharks are led by top overall pick Macklin Celebrini and veteran forward Mikael Granlund, who is averaging a point per game[2][4][6].

The Rangers have a strong historical record against the Sharks, with a .735 points percentage all-time, which is their second-best against any active NHL team. They are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games against San Jose and 7-1-1 in their last nine home games against the Sharks[4].

Coach Peter Laviolette has been experimenting with line combinations to shake off stagnant play. The Will Cuylle – Filip Chytil – Kaapo Kakko line has been particularly effective, outscoring opponents 11-0 in 5v5 situations this season. The defense has also seen adjustments, with K’Andre Miller moving back to pair with Adam Fox, and Ryan Lindgren sliding back with Jacob Trouba[2].

Predictions favor the Rangers, with advanced models giving them a 75% chance of winning. The Rangers are expected to dominate, given their strong offense and defense, as well as their historical advantage over the Sharks[5][6].

The game will be broadcast on MSG Network and ESPN 880 AM, starting at 7:00 PM ET. Fans can also stream the game live on ESPN+[3][4][6].