It's the New York Rangers' first game of 2025. It's an Original Six clash between two old foes, and the Blueshirts need the two points. A loss to the Florida Panthers before the turn of the year has continued the Rangers' decline into the doldrums of the league's standings. A game against the Boston Bruins allows the Blueshirts to get something going and turn the page in the new year ahead of the trade deadline.
Zac Jones was vocal in midweek about his displeasure at being the healthy extra on the blueline with Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen joining the franchise, but that is where he will stay as the Blueshirts will not alter their group ahead of this game against the Bruins. New York will be looking for something to spark the Blueshirts and get going, and an original six clash could do that. It could be a turning point before it gets too late in the year to fix the struggles.
In the net, Igor Shesterkin is on the shelf with an injury. Many have joked about him being out with a bruised ego, but the Rangers will not have him regardless. In the traditional "next man up" mantra, the crease will be turned over to three-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonatha Quick. It'll be the veteran who is asked to guide the Blueshirts out of this tailspin from the crease.
Projected Lineups
Boston Bruins
Morgan Geekie - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand - Elias Lindholm - Charlie Coyle
Cole Koepke - Trent Frederic - Justin Brazeau
John Beecher - Mark Kastelic - Oliver Wahlstrom
Nikita Zadorov - Charlie McAvoy
Parker Wotherspoon - Brandon Carlo
Mason Lohrei - Andrew Peeke
Jeremy Swayman
Joonas Korpisalo
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Reilly Smith
Will Cuylle - Filip Chytil - Brett Berard
Adam Edstrom - Sam Carrick - Jimmy Vesey
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen - Braden Schneider
Jonathan Quick
Louis Domingue
Puck Drop
A 7 p.m. puck drop from Madison Square Garden will see these two old rivals renew their hatred under the bright Broadway lights. Boston currently sits in the final divisional spot in the Atlantic. In contrast, the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan and try to avoid falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference Standings. These two teams are fighting for their seasons tonight, and it'll be one great game.