Up 2-0 in their opening-round series, the New York Rangers find themselves in the same position they were in last year but are confident the result will be different this time around.

"New team identity," defenseman K'Andre Miller said when asked what's changed about this year's club, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

New York stormed to a 2-0 lead in its first-round clash with the New Jersey Devils last spring before losing the next three contests and, ultimately, the series in seven games.

The collapse led to the club replacing head coach Gerard Gallant with Peter Laviolette.

The Rangers have an easier matchup on paper this year after winning the Presidents' Trophy, drawing the 91-point Washington Capitals in Round 1 after taking on the 112-point Devils in 2023.

Despite the advantageous situation, star blue-liner Adam Fox said New York knows not to take its opponent lightly as the series shifts to D.C. for Games 3 and 4.

"Definitely, you know you're not going to get anything easy," Fox said. "You win those two games last year, especially on the road, you think you can breathe easy coming home, but in playoffs, it's never like that. I think especially, now going on the road, we know we're stepping into a tough environment, and we'll be ready for that. I don't think we're expecting anything to come easy, especially on the road, especially with a desperate team over there."

The Rangers cruised to a 4-1 victory at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 and squeaked out a 4-3 win in Game 2. The series resumes Friday night.

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The Canucks hit the practice ice in Nashville looking for a bounce back in Game 3 vs the Preds. Matt and Blake take a look at the lines at practice and the possible re-insertion of Tyler Myers to the defence corps, plus continue to look at the possibility of a breakout game for Pettersson or anybody else on the top lines.

Ray Ferraro stops by for his overall look at the series, how to get shots on Nashville, and what his old friend Andrew Brunette might be up to with his own adjustments. Plus, Ray gives his memories on the voice of hockey Bob Cole, who passed away at 90.

Then, it’s Patrick Johnston with the ins and outs of the Canucks series so far, the power play outage, and whether Casey DeSmith can carry the load given the expected absence of Demko for weeks. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery took a shot at Max Domi and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Montgomery didn't hold back when asked if he believes Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman's success against the Maple Leafs is an indication he's in their heads.

"Sometimes I don't think that, but when Domi goes off the bench and bumps him on purpose, it makes me think that maybe he's in their head a little bit," the Boston bench boss said.

Domi and Swayman made contact during a break in the action Wednesday night in the Bruins' 4-2 victory, which gave them a 2-1 series lead.

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe fired back at Montgomery later Thursday when informed of his counterpart's comments.

"With that logic, you would say every time they bump into one of our guys, maybe we're in their heads," Keefe said. "I don't think that has anything to do with anything."

Swayman improved to 5-0-0 against the Leafs this season. He's allowed only three goals on 66 shots for a .955 save percentage in the two games he's started in the series.

The Bruins have alternated goaltenders all season, including in the playoffs, so Linus Ullmark would normally start the next one. But the additional day off before Game 4 in Toronto on Saturday might lead Montgomery to deviate from his usual strategy.

"We're going to have more rest, but ... the rotation's been so good for us, so it's a hard decision," he said.

That game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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Andre Tourigny will once again lead Team Canada as head coach at the World Championship, the country's governing body of hockey announced Thursday.

Tourigny guided Canada to the gold medal at last year's tournament.

Former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason, ex-Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, and current St. Louis Blues assistant coach Steve Ott will serve as Tourigny's assistants at the event.

Rick Nash, Canada's general manager for the tourney, determined the coaching staff along with associate GM Kyle Dubas and assistant GM Scott Salmond.

Tourigny is the Arizona Coyotes' bench boss and will presumably remain in the post when the team begins playing in Salt Lake City.

Canada has already received commitments for the Worlds from several impact players, including Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard, Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann, and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power.

The tournament will run from May 10-26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia.

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