3 New York Rangers to watch against the Vancouver Canucks

The New York Rangers had one of their best performances of the season on Sunday night in Seattle, defeating the Kraken by a score of 2-0 to kick off a four-game road trip. Though the Blueshirts have not been playing good hockey lately, this win was one of the most complete games they've played.

After the win on Sunday, the Rangers have a three games up north in Canada, starting tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver (9-5-3) is one of the better teams in the Western Conference, but tonight will be missing star center JT Miller, who is on a personal leave of abscence.

But, the Canucks - just like the Rangers - have one of the best defensemen in the NHL in Quinn Hughes. Vancouver's captain has 18 points in 17 games this season, which is second in defensemen behind the Avalanche's Cale Makar. Hughes had a career-high 92 points during the 2023-2024 season and is on pace to break this. He's definitely someone to watch for the Canucks tonight.

On the other side, here's three Rangers to watch as they look to make it three straight:

1. Igor Shesterkin/Jonathan Quick

It's yet to come out who will be starting for New York tonight, but regardless of who it is, the Rangers are playing a good goaltender no matter what.

Right now, the debate is whether to ride the hot hand in Jonathan Quick - who has posted two consecutive shutouts and has had a great start to the season - or give Igor Shesterkin the start tonight. It's not that Shesterkin is having a poor season, but Quick has been playing better as of late.

There's no wrong choice this early in the season and no major trend can come out of one game. But, it will show where Peter Laviolette's mind is at. And with Quick now just three victories away from becoming the first American-born goaltender to reach 400 wins in NHL history, if he gets the start it'll just put him one step closer.

2. Johnny Brodzinski

Regardless of what happens in the game tonight, New York got some of the best news they could have today - Filip Chytil did not suffer a concussion; he is listed as day-to-day and will rejoin the team on the road trip in Calgary. Chytil has been one of the best Rangers this season and his health is paramount, especially for someone with so many upper-body injuries.

While Chytil will rejoin the team in Calgary, there's no indication of whether he will play. In the meantime, Johnny Brodzinski will continue to slot in between Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle.

Brodzinski has been the odd-man-out since New York's been healthy, and he has a chance now to prove why he can be an everyday type of player. The 31-year-old is under contract for two more years and looks to become a key piece.

3. Zac Jones

Jones scored one of the two goals on Sunday night against Seattle, and over the past few games has showed why he is an every-night type of defensemen. The Rangers clearly believe this too, as they sent Victor Mancini down to Hartford. He'll benefit by getting more playing time with the Wolf Pack.

The 24-year-old has posted above a zero-rating in four out of the last five games, and against Seattle was on the ice for both goals. He's been playing strong and can be a mainstay on the Rangers' blue line for years to come.