New York Rangers come home to new look Madison Square Garden – NHL News
The New York Rangers finally returned home this season after playing seven of their games on the road to get a look at their renovated Madison Square Garden home. The arena which is getting a three-phase $850 million face lift sports new lower bowl, longer concourses and sparkling state of the art dressing rooms and with a capacity to hold 18,200 Rangers fans.
Rangers sporting a current season record stands at 3-2-2 will try their utmost to get off on the winning foot in their new home as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. The players who returned from their travels to three countries and five different time zones were highly impressed with their new quarters.
"We love coming in here today, we love what we see as far as the transformation that has gone on, but you need to win," Coach John Tortorella said. "That's what makes the building good -- winning in it. So that's our main focus."
Ending last season with a poor 20-17-4 home record and a 21st place finish in the league, the Rangers started this season with seven away games (a first in the franchise’s history) due to the renovations taking place at the Madison Square Garden which have now been completed, will now play six consecutive games at home until another away trip to the St. Louis Blues in December.
"We're excited to be back. It's good to be back home and playing on home ice again," Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan said.
With players and fans excited to witness their first game at Madison Square Garden the match against the Toronto Maple Leafs has taken huge importance with Rangers looking to give home fans a great event.
This will be the first time Rangers new free-agent acquisition Brad Richards will play at Madison Square Garden and he couldn’t contain his excitement. The Center who signed for Rangers this season in a $60 million 9-year deal couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect.
Brad Richards, who spent most of his career in the smaller teams such as Tampa Bay and Dallas, couldn’t resist the allure of the bright lights of New York and all its glamour while also joining a team that is a part of the Original Six with a great history and extremely loyal and fervent fans.
"That's part of the lure of playing here is to do that. It will be a great experience in my life and my career. I can't wait to start."
Madison Square Garden in addition to the New York Rangers also hosts NBA team New York Knicks, and WNBA New York Liberty. The arena also hosts music events and concerts and is one of busiest music arenas after the O2 arena in London.
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