New York Rangers versus Pittsburgh Penguins: Join the live conversation

The New York Rangers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in a nationally televised game at Madison Square Garden.  Both teams will be missing their best player with Mika Zibanejad still out and Sidney Crosby also sidelined by injury.  Join the conversation during the game on this post.

It’s Alexandar Georgiev in net for the Blueshirts as they take on what could be a big Metropolitan Division match-up.  Home games against Division rivals are must-win for the Rangers if they expect to make the playoffs.

Mika Zibanejad is missing his seventh straight game and it looks like he had a set back last week after taking to the ice in practice.  Coach David Quinn talked about the injury after practice yesterday.  “He’s getting a little rest and he’s put himself in a position to come back so when he does come back we’re not going to do what we just went through when he’s out there and gets taken off the ice.  When he does come back we want to make sure it’s full steam ahead and he’s in a position to get in the lineup sooner than later…Some injuries are unpredictable and he’s got one that’s unpredictable.”

While the official word is an upper body injury, the word is that it is a neck injury and it appears he aggravated it by resuming practice too soon. It looks like he will not be accompanying the team on the two game road trip to Florida.

In his absence Ryan Strome has stepped up on the top line.  The Rangers website had a nice story about Strome and the fact that he is making a habit of assisting on the first NHL goals for Ranger rookies. He’s gotten helpers on the first goals for Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren and Kaapo Kakko.

Quinn spoke highly of Strome’s work filling in for Zibanejad.  “He’s done a really good job, he’s taken advantage of this opportunity and that line has been productive offensively.  This started last year from our end…I liked a lot of what he did last year, he’s put himself in a position this year.  He just assumed more responsibility and he continues to take advantage of his opportunities. Not just the points, I like the way he’s playing in all three zones. He’s a big reason we’ve been able to withstand losing Mika.”

Live conversation

Feel free to post comments as the game goes along.  We’ll be monitoring the conversation and will chime in as the game goes on.   It’s always fun to share opinions and comment on a game as it is played or after.

Let’s go Rangers….television is NBCSN at 730pm.