When original six teams clash, it’s always fun. Detroit will be the opponent tonight for the Blueshirts as these two teams renew their age-old rivalry in Motown. As the Red Wings seek to close the gap on the Wild Card places, the Rangers are trying to capitalize on a loss the New Jersey Devils suffered to close the gap in the Metro and remain within screaming distance of the leading Carolina Hurricanes.
Artemi Panarin was given a maintenance day yesterday when he missed the morning skate. It’s fully expected that the Rangers’ leading point producer will be playing tonight. There’s no reason to suggest otherwise given the looming trade deadline and the Rangers are still too far away from playoff safety with things to fight for to start resting their players for the postseason already.
Jaroslav Halak is expected to start tonight because of the recent struggles that Igor Shesterkin. Giving Igor some time to regain his confidence and get himself straightened out for the playoff run that is coming in the spring. Halak played very well in his last performance in Calgary and will be getting his second start in three games. He’s gotten better as the season has gone on but has proven to be an asset.
New York Rangers
Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Jimmy Vesey
Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere – Filip Chytil – Kaapo Kakko
Tyler Motte – Jake Leschyshyn – Barclay Goodrow
Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller – Jacob Trouba
Niko Mikkola – Braden Schneider
Jaroslav Halak
Igor Shesterkin
Detroit Red Wings
Tyler Bertuzzi – Dylan Larkin – Dominik Kubalik
Michael Rasmussen – Andrew Copp – David Perron
Jakub Vrana – Joe Veleno – Robby Fabbri
Jonatan Berggren – Pius Suter – Oskar Sundqvist
Jake Walman – Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot – Filip Hronek
Olli Maatta – Robert Hagg
Ville Husso
Magnus Hellberg
Puck drop time and where to watch
Bally Sports Detroit will have the Red Wings feed for any Blueshirts fans that want to watch in the Michigan area. Sam and Joe will have the call on MSG. This 7 PM Eastern puck drop time from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan will have a lot of things to watch for and given the Rangers current position in the standings, they really need the two points to stay in the fight for home ice in round one.