The New York Rangers returned home after a two-game road trip to Florida to face the Arizona Coyotes. This game was the second of a back to back for the Coyotes. They fell 3-1 to Buffalo on Thursday, and extended its losing streak to nine consecutive games.
Since the Coyotes just played and the Rangers were well rested, there was a certain expectation in terms of preparation. New York was coming off of consecutive days of practice while Arizona was simply trying to get its legs for the second half of a back to back.
In addition, the Rangers got back key roster pieces from injury in Mats Zuccarello and Pavel Buchnevich.