Following that late win over the Montreal Canadiens to snap a five-game skid, the New York Rangers return to action tonight against the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey currently sits second in the Metropolitan Division but has played four games more than the Rangers and is only seven points ahead of the Blueshirts. Winning tonight would keep that at four extra games and a lead of just five points.
New York's lineup ahead of tonight's game is set to undergo some changes. Brett Berard is injured and will play no part in tonight's game. Jimmy Vesey is set to be the healthy extra as Matt Rempe slides back into the lineup against a franchise that specifically traded for an answer to Rempe. If Rempe can run riot against the Devils again and create chaos, this matchup will favor the Rangers. New York needs that spark of energy, and Rempe can provide that.
In between the pipes, the Rangers will put their faith back in Igor Shesterkin. Quick beat the Canadiens, so Igor will look for his first win in the last four. Defeat in Calgary, Carolina, at home to St Louis, and in Philadelphia will have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Shesterkin. If he wins the goaltending matchup tonight, the Rangers will have a great chance of defeating the Devils in a comfortable manner.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Stefan Noesen
Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Paul Cotter - Erik Haula - Dawson Mercer
Mike Hardman - Justin Dowling - Nathan Legare
Brenden Dillon - Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler - Jonathan Kovacecic
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Filip Chytil - Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle - Vincent Trocheck - Kaapo Kakko
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Reilly Smith
Adam Edstrom - Sam Carrick - Jonny Brodzinski
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones - Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Puck Drop
A 7 p.m. puck drop will see the Devils enter Madison Square Garden. As the Rangers look to inflict another defeat on their Hudson River rivals, the Devils know a win could put them in pole position for a divisional playoff spot rather than a wild card. It'll be a brutal fight for the win from Madison Square Garden, but we know these two teams will have no issue throwing punches.