Now that the big man has expelled all of his presents and the biggest family celebration in the world has come and gone, the focus is back on the New York Rangers. First, they have to travel out to Long Island for a big-time showdown against the New York Islanders. This team needs to establish their identity with this win.
Mind you, this is an Islanders team that is currently in a playoff spot as the third-place team in the Metropolitan Division. But, they are only two points ahead of the Blueshirts.
Are you not entertained? Here are three Rangers players to watch for in this game.
Artemi Panarin
As each game passes, the situation with Artemi Panarin gets more and more confusing. With a contract up at the end of the season, there is no direct answer right now on what the Rangers are going to do with him. There is a chance that he will stay on for the rest of the season and then move on when it's over. Or, the Rangers can do the right thing and give the man what he wants.
With 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 38 games, Panarin controls his own future. Subsequently, he also holds the future of the Rangers' 2025-26 season on his stick. No. 10 will be a crucial part of this upcoming matchup against the Islanders.
Igor Shesterkin
Igor Shesterkin should be the netminder for the Blueshirts. It is imperative that he continues to shine, even without star defenseman Adam Fox backing him up.
The record of 16-11-3 does not truly paint the right picture of how Shesterkin's season has gone. This test against the Islanders will be another notch on his belt this season.
Will Cuylle
After the Rangers had that statement win against Washington right before the Christmas break, the hope was for that kind of offensive explosion to continue. Only time will tell if that is true or not, and one player could be a big contributor to whether this team has solved its goal-scoring woes. Will Cuylle, who had his first 3-point night in that game against the Caps, will have a spotlight on him against the Islanders.