There will be a few familiar faces for the Anaheim Ducks tonight when the New York Rangers face them. There is a long history of players swapping between these two teams, and a couple of them will be interesting. As always, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano will face their old team for the Ducks, but the interesting part isn't those two. The two players, including the former Rangers captain, were traded for each other earlier in the season.
It'll be the first time the Blueshirts have seen Jacob Trouba since the deal that took him to Anaheim. It'll also be the first time Urho Vaakanainen returns to the Honda Center. This is already a massive game for the Rangers. Still, the added storyline regarding the history between the former Rangers captain and the front office that traded him and the messy circumstances that brought that trade to being could add pressure to a team that doesn't need it.
Trouba was essentially told to waive his modified no-trade clause and pick between two or three teams, or the Rangers would put him on waivers, and he would lose all control over where he went. He opted to go to Orange County, California, which upset the former Rangers captain. He's still unhappy with how things transpired, even if his integrity won't let him publicly comment on how things occurred.
Vaakanainen returning to the Rangers lineup for a tribute from his former team could make life difficult for the Rangers. They need to win, and the added emotion for Vaakanainen might be a factor. This isn't good when the Rangers need this game to go smoothly. I'm not suggesting that the Rangers need to score eight goals and blow the Ducks out, but an early goal to keep the lead and play in front of the game would be a great sign.