How to watch Rangers vs. Maple Leafs — and 3 players to keep an eye on tonight

The Rangers face off with the Maple Leafs in a marquee matchup that could set the tone for the weekend. Here’s how to watch, plus three players who could make the biggest impact.
New York Rangers v Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers v Toronto Maple Leafs | Chris Tanouye/GettyImages

The New York Rangers are back on the road, a place they have scored goals this season, and will look to rebound from their last shutout loss at home. This is the first of two road games the Blueshirts will play before returning home to Madison Square Garden, and their first test will come against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before we get into the Blueshirts fans should keep an eye on, here's how to watch tonight's game, and the projected lineups for both squads.

How to watch New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Arena
TV: MSG
Radio: ESPN New York, 98.7 FM

Projected Lineups

New York Rangers

Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Alexis Lafrenière
Will Cuylle -- J.T. Miller -- Connor Sheary
Jonny Brodzinski -- Noah Laba -- Taylor Raddysh
Adam Edstrom -- Sam Carrick -- Matt Rempe

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Fox
Urho Vaakanainen -- Braden Schneider
Matthew Robertson -- Connor Mackey

Igor Shesterkin

Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthew Knies -- Auston Matthews -- Easton Cowan
Matias Maccelli -- John Tavares -- William Nylander
Bobby McMann -- Max Domi -- Nicholas Robertson
Dakota Joshua -- Nicolas Roy -- Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly -- Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe -- Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- Simon Benoit

Anthony Stolarz

Players to watch

Mika Zibanejad

Zibanejad has looked engaged for the Rangers to start the season, and is still searching for his first 5v5 goal of the season. In nearly 69 minutes, the Blueshirts' alternate captain has a 49.37 CF% and a 49.65 xGF%. He's been better than the numbers show, and last season against the Maple Leafs he tallied a goal and three assists in three games played.

Alexis Lafrenière

Lafrenière has a goal and an assist in five games and is tied for fourth in team scoring overall. His underlying numbers have been good, and he's posted a 50.12 GF%, a 48.47 CF%, and a 51.44 xGF%. In his young career to date, Lafrenière has appeared in 12 games against Toronto, and scored three goals while adding four assists. He has enjoyed playing the Leafs and will look to continue that this evening.

Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin is off to a great start of the season and currently leads the league in goals saved above average (7.28) and goals saved above expected (6.52) through four games of play. He also leads the league with a .972 save percentage and a 0.76 goals against average. Shesterkin wants this to be a big year, and he has an opportunity to continue his dazzling play against the Maple Leafs, a team that's historically had some success against him. In 12 career games, Shesterkin has a 6-4-2 record with a .914 save percentage and a 2.67 goals against average.

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