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New York Rangers to usher in post Deadline era against the Isles

By Andrew Steele-Davis

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers is stopped by the New York Islanders during the second period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers is stopped by the New York Islanders during the second period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers comes out of the locker room for the second period of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers comes out of the locker room for the second period of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

About the Rangers

Tonight is the start of life without Brady Skjei and Igor Shesterkin for completely different reasons, of course.

While the Rangers traded Skjei to the Carolina Hurricanes in a bid to free up some cap space, the franchise also delivered some scary news on their phenom goalie.

It was revealed by President John Davidson that both Shesterkin and Pavel Buchnevich were involved in a car crash in Brooklyn on Sunday, which could have been a lot worse according to reports.

While Buchnevich is day-to-day, Shesterkin is slightly more serious with a non-displaced rib fracture and will be evaluated again in a couple of weeks.

Now, realistically, Shesterkin could miss a large chunk of the rest of the regular season, meaning that it will be down to Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev to try and lead this team into the postseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers skates out to face the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers skates out to face the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

It is the perfect opportunity for Lundqvist to crank up his trade value for the off-season, while ensuring that if he does depart in the summer he does so on a high note.

While for Georgiev, who will get the start against the Islanders tonight, it is a chance for the 24-year-old to prove why he is the future of the Rangers along with Shesterkin.

Another lineup change to watch out for tonight is Brendan Smith taking Brady Skjei’s spot on the top defensive-pairing alongside Jacob Trouba, while there is no confirmation yet on whether or not Chris Kreider will play after the forward missed practice on Monday with illness.

Whoever plays tonight, this is a massive game for the New York Rangers who will go in search of their fourth-straight win while trying to claim bragging rights by clinching the season series against their rivals.

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