Breaking news: Add Adam Fox and Pavel Buchnevich to the COVID protocol list along with Phil Di Giuseppe. The Rangers are going to start Finnish defenseman Tarmo Reunanen.
The New York Rangers come home from a six game road trip to take on the team directly ahead of them in the standings, the Philadelphia Flyers. Coming off one of their best efforts of the season, the question in the minds of everyone in Rangersland is whether they will do it again? Of course, the “it” is either a solid defensive effort complimented by timely scoring and excellent goaltending or the “it” will be a let down and a dispiriting loss to ta team that they need to beat. Let’s revisit this tomorrow to see which “it” will prevail.
The Rangers have played the Flyers only twice this season meaning that they will have six head-to-head games against a team they need to pass in the standings. While making the playoffs will be a challenge, unless they can most of their games against Philadelphia, it will be impossible.
There was a pandemic development for the team as Phil Di Giuseppe appeared on the NHL’s COVID list today. The Rangers then cancelled their game day morning skate, something that is unusual.
Phil DiGiuseppe is on COVID protocol list...may well be the reason Rangers canceled their morning skate. Essentially unprecedented not to skate in AM following day off.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) March 15, 2021
The word is that Igor Shesterkin is still not over his groin injury and that means a second straight start for Keith Kinkaid. if Kinkaid has a good outing, it will further complicate the Rangers’ new three headed goalie situation, an issue that they thought they had put to bed after last season.