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New York Rangers looking for wild night in Minnesota

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 25: New York Rangers Center Ryan Strome (16) and Minnesota Wild Center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) take a face-off during the National Hockey League game between the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers on November 25, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 25: New York Rangers Center Ryan Strome (16) and Minnesota Wild Center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) take a face-off during the National Hockey League game between the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers on November 25, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB February 11: New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad (93) is congratulated by New York Rangers forward Pavel Buchevich (89) and New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider (20) on his goal during the regular season game between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers on February 11, 2020 at the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg MB. (Photo by Terrence Lee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB February 11: New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad (93) is congratulated by New York Rangers forward Pavel Buchevich (89) and New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider (20) on his goal during the regular season game between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers on February 11, 2020 at the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg MB. (Photo by Terrence Lee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

About the Rangers

This is another big game for the New York Rangers who are playing a smarter brand of hockey right now.

They are clearly learning on the job but it is also apparent that they are trying to send a message to the front office.

The last thing this team probably wants is to see key pieces sold off and, as such, they are doing everything in their power to prevent that from happening.

Of course, due to the salary cap situation, some pieces will be dealt and there will be some new faces to integrate in that dressing room in the wake of Feb. 24.

But, if the Blueshirts can remain competitive then that will only benefit them for next year when expectations will begin to rise.

And the test starts tonight in Minnesota with the Rangers needing to go on a run now if they are to somehow claw their way into the postseason.

They are 12-11-2 on the road this year and, with 16 of their last 27 games on the road, the Rangers will need to improve in that area if they are to extend their season.

There is lots to be encouraged by, however, and it is only a matter of time until Artemi Panarin finds his groove again after being slowed down somewhat over the course of the last few weeks.

Seven points in his last eight games isn’t a bad return obviously, but Panarin has set such high standards for himself since signing that big ticket deal in the off-season that it is almost strange when he’s not piling on multi-point nights every game.

Elite players such as Panarin don’t stay lukewarm for too long and once he gets back to his explosive best, the Rangers will have a greater chance of going on a run down the stretch.

One player who is red hot right now is Chris Kreider who has 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in his last 14 outings.

If Kreider’s fate is deemed to be away from The Big Apple, then he’s certainly doing everything in his power to go out on a high.

Igor Shesterkin, who is 6-1-0 in his NHL career with a 2.18 Goals Against Average and a .941 Save Percentage, could get the start in net tonight with Head Coach David Quinn making it clear that he will now ride the hot hand with his goalies.

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