When it comes to the New York Rangers and the 2021 season, there is one thing that is just unacceptable. The Rangers have played the Devils twice and lost both games. While it’s presumptuous to claim that the Rangers are that much better than their cross-Hudson rivals, the Devils are one of the teams that the Rangers have to beat in order to make the playoffs and they have failed so far, miserably.
The Blueshirts have a shot at redemption as they begin a two game series against the Devils, on the road in Newark in front of live fans. New Jersey is reeling, having lost six of their last seven and the Rangers cannot let the Devils get back on a winning track.
Based on the pre-game skate, it appears that Kaapo Kakko and Tony Bitetto are both getting close to returning to the lineup and Jacob Trouba is healing faster than anticipated. That’s good news with only Artemi Panarin still missing from the active roster.
Pregame updates from #NYR Coach Quinn:
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 4, 2021
-Kakko is still day-to-day but "close"
-Trouba "tracking sooner than later" but still day-to-day
-Shesterkin in net pic.twitter.com/iYCuV37x3p