Antti Raanta’s first season as the Rangers’ backup goalie is going to be defined by one emotional outpouring, which came after a devastating 5-4 overtime loss to the Kings at the Garden on Feb. 12. That game, Raanta gave up a goal with 30 seconds left in regulation and another in overtime to put him close to tears in the locker room afterward.
Now, as Raanta prepares for his seventh start since that infamous night and his 17th of the season Saturday night in Montreal, the story is how he has bounced back.
He has won five of his past six starts, while carrying a 2.