Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers vs Blackhawks: A battle of playoff wannabes

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks bumps Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Blackhawks 4-3.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks bumps Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Blackhawks 4-3.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers skates against his brother Dylan Strome #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers skates against his brother Dylan Strome #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

About the Rangers

The million dollar question is who will be in goal for the Rangers.  There’s no clarification on Igor Shesterkin’s health or whether it will be another start for Alexandar Georgiev who has allowed only six goals in the last three games.  David Quinn has declared that he will go with the hottest goalie and Georgiev clearly is on a streak, topping 92 of 96 shots for a .959 save percentage.

The Rangers are on a five game road winning streak.  It’s their longest since the 2016-17 season.  If they can win tonight it will be their first six game road winning streak since the 2014-15 season.  Their longest road winning streak is seven games, a record they first set in 1934-35 and tied in 1978-79.

Julien Gauthier has been assigned number 12 as he travels with the team on this two game road trip. He was recalled from the AHL by the Hurricanes twice this season, in October and again in December.  In five games he notched one assist. At 6’4″, 227 pounds, he takes the title of being the biggest player on the team.

The Blueshirts haven’t had the greatest success against Chicago. They haven’t won a season series since 2013-14 going 4-6 over the last five years.

This will be a return to Chicago for Artemi Panarin who was signed by the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015.  He has only played against them four times as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring two goals and adding two assists.  The player he was traded for, Brandon Saad, is still with the Blackhawks and has 18 goals and 28 points.

It’s the annual Rangers’ moms road trip so there will be  special rooting section at the United Center.  It will be a special treat for Trish Strome who  will get to see both of her sons in action, though she will be rooting for the Rangers.   This is the fourth time that Dylan and Ryan Strome have played each other and so far, Ryan is undefeated.

The Rangers penalty kill is on fire, except for one hiccup against Boston when they allowed a shorthanded goal.  They have not allowed a power play goal in 13 chances over the last six games.

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