It's Sam Rosen night at Madison Square Garden. The New York Rangers prepare to face the Vancouver Caniucks as they honor the iconic voice of the Blueshirts. With the Rangers looking to repair their playoff ambitions, they take a step back to celebrate the long-time voice of this iconic franchise. Sam Rosen is closing in on the end of his career in the play-by-play industry. New York will look to provide him with his own memory tonight.
As for the on-ice haptics, Igor Shesterkin is set to lock down the crease for the Rangers. He has been one of the bright lights in a dim Rangers season as the league's new highest-paid netminder tries to close the door on the Vancouver Canucks. If the Rangers are going to force their way back into the playoff picture, they will need to have their Russian star netminder be the Vezina-caliber goaltender he can be.
Among the forwards, the Blueshirts need someone to help Artemi Panarin. Panarin has been red hot, with points in eight straight, but the Rangers need someone to help him. J.T. Miller has quieted down after his hot start in Manhatten, Mika Zibanejad is slowing down, and Chris Kreider is having a down year. Someone needs to help the Breadman. The Rangers need several forwards to keep putting the puck in the net if they are going to get back into the postseason hunt.
Projected Lineups
Vancouver Canucks
Nils Hoglander - Elias Pettersson - Brock Boeser
Jake DeBrusk - Pius Suter - Kiefer Sherwood
Drew O'Connor - Teddy Blueger - Linus Karlsson
Dakota Joshua - Nils Aman - Conor Garland
Quinn Hughes - Tyler Myers
Marcus Pettersson - Filip Hronek
Derek Forbort - Elias Pettersson
Kevin Lankinen
Thatcher Demko
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle - J.T. Miller - Mika Zibanejad
Chris Kreider - Sam Carrick - Jonny Brodzinski
Brennan Othmann - Juuso Parssinen - Matt Rempe
K'Andre Miller - Will Borgen
Carson Soucy - Adam Fox
Zac Jones - Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Puck Drop
Tonight's game will be a matinee from 1 p.m. puck drop as the Blueshirts honor their long-time voice. Sam Rosen has been synonymous with the New York Rangers for 40 years, and in his final year, we get to celebrate the career of one of the most loved people in the world. Can the Rangers help the fans celebrate Sam Rosen night with a win?