Last night's overtime defeat to the Anaheim Ducks was bitter, but the New York Rangers picked up a point where the other teams around them did not. They lost a critical game where the Rangers led but couldn't get over the line, which cost them a point. Now, they visit the youthful and surprisingly hot San Jose Sharks, who sit last in the standings. However, this is a team the Rangers cannot take lightly.
New York must get back in the win column, and they'll turn to Jonathan Quick. After that game in Anaheim, Igor Shesterkin will be tired and hurt, and he'll need a rest. It's time for the veteran of the Rangers goaltending tandem to remind everyone why he is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, and the Rangers need to get the two points tonight. It won't be easy for the Blueshirts tonight, but that is the requirement.
It'll be the Rangers' first time seeing young rookie phenom Macklin Celebrini this season, as he was injured with a hip issue when the Sharks came to the Garden. Now, the Sharks will look for their starboy to lead them after they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in the shootout. They are a capable young team, and if the Rangers do not take them seriously, they could get in trouble quickly with this group's talent.
Projected Lineups
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Brennan Othmann
Will Cuylle - J.T. Miller - Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Jonny Brodzinski
Brett Berard - Sam Carrick - Juuso Parssinen
K'Andre Miller - Will Borgen
Carson Soucy - Adam Fox
Zac Jones - Braden Schneider
Jonathan Quick
Igor Shesterkin
San Jose Sharks
William Eklund - Macklin Celebrini - Will Smith
Collin Graf - Alex Wennberg - Tyler Toffoli
Klim Kostin - Patrick Giles - Cameron Lund
Barclay Goodrow - Zack Ostapchuk - Ty Dellandrea
Mario Ferraro - Shakir Mukhamadullin
Luca Cagnoni - Jimmy Schuldt
Lucas Carlsson - Timothy Liljegren
Alexandar Georgiev
Georgi Romanov
Puck Drop
Tonight's game will begin at 10:30 from the SAP Center in San Jose. Last night, New York's defeat in Anaheim leaves them desperate in the race for the playoffs. They cannot afford to drop points to the team at the bottom of the standings, even if they are starting to show signs of progressing. New York must win this game if they are to retain delusions of the postseason.