It’s Game Four of this crazy playoff series and it’s almost a must win for the New York Rangers. Win and they regain home ice advantage and return to New York knotted at two games piece. Lose and they face a 3-1 disadvantage. It’s not an insurmountable challenge, but it would be very, very hard.
The Rangers are hoping to have Ryan Lindgren back in the lineup and Gerard Gallant said that it’s possible that he could go with an 11 forward, seven defense alignment if Lindgren comes back.
No matter what, the focus will be on Igor Shesterkin who looks to rebound from his last start. According to Gallant, he looked “happy” in practice. The Rangers will need him at his best in order to win.
For the Penguins, goalie Tristan Jarry is getting close and was taking shots in practice. Rickard Rakell skated but will not play. Brian Dumoulin is still out with no prognosis. That means another start for Louis Domingue.
Projected starting lineups
NEW YORK RANGERS
20 Kreider – 93 Zibanejad – 77 Vatrano
10 Panarin – 16 Strome – 18 Copp
13 Lafreniere -72 Chytil – 24 Kakko
29 Hunt – 17 Rooney – 75 Reaves
55 Lindgren or 61 Justin Braun -23 Fox
79 Miller -8 Trouba
12 Nemeth -54 Schneider
31 Shesterkin
40 Georgiev
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust
43 Danton Heinen – 71- Evgeni Malkin – 42 Kasperi Kapanen
16 Jason Zucker – 77 Jeff Carter – 23 Brock McGinn
11 Brian Boyle – 53 Teddy Blueger – 9 Evan Rodrigues
5 Mike Matheson – 58 Kris Letang
28 Marcus Pettersson – 6 John Marino
52 Mark Friedman – 2 Chad Ruhwedel
70 Louis Domingue
33 Alex D’Orio
How to watch and the live conversation
The game is scheduled to start at 7pm, but that means probably about 7:15pm. There are two options if you are in the New York area. The MSG Network will be providing full pregame and postgame coverage and will also televise all of the First Round games.
The national telecast will be on ESPN if you are out of the New York area or prefer their on-air folks.
Blue Line Station’s live conversation is active now and we will be live for every playoff game. Please join in as we watch our favorite hockey team hopefully win the most important game of the season.
You can join the conversation in the comments section below.