For the New York Rangers, this has been a troubling season, to say the least. Coming off of the game in Ottawa where Jaroslav Halak got his first victory as a New York Rangers, the Blueshirts will be looking to try and assert themselves. While a win tonight would not fix the Rangers’ troubles entirely, it would be more than a bandaid over an axe wound. This could help New York continue the healing process.
When the Rangers win, it is very rare for head coach Gerard Gallant to change the lineup. We do know that Vitali Kravtsov is going to move up to the second line and play with Filip Chytil and Artemi Panarin on the second line as the Rangers look to try and generate some offense from more than just their stars. If Kravtsov can get going, even just riding the talent of Panarin, it’ll help the Rangers a lot.
Igor Shesterkin is expected to return to the crease for the Blueshirts in this one as they look to sweep the home-and-home series. After getting the first game of this set off in favor of Halak, the reigning Vezina winner will be restored to the Rangers crease as he seeks to continue his improvement after a start to the year that was not like the shot-stopper. New York will need their star goalie to be good for them tonight.
New York Rangers
Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Jimmy Vesey
Artemi Panarin – Filip Chytil – Vitali Kravtsov
Alexis Lafreniere – Vincent Trocheck – Kaapo Kakko
Sammy Blais – Barclay Goodrow – Julien Gauthier
Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller – Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones – Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jaroslav Halak
Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stutzle – Claude Giroux
Alex DeBrincat – Shane Pinto – Drake Batherson
Tyler Motte – Dylan Gambrell – Mathieu Joseph
Parker Kelly – Mark Kastelic – Austin Watson
Thomas Chabot – Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson – Travis Hamonic
Erik Brannstrom – Nick Holden
Cam Talbot
Anton Forsberg
Puck drop and where to watch
This game is a 7 PM Eastern start time live from the most iconic building in professional sports. For the Rangers, this is going to be a difficult game but Joe and Sam will have the coverage on MSG. TSN will be broadcasting this game for the Ottawa Senators and Canadian fans wanting to watch. Obviously, there are streaming services available where you are from to watch a hopeful Rangers win.