New York Rangers Prepare to Face the Ottawa Senators in a Potentially Pivotal Game
After that garbage game against the Washington Capitals, the New York Rangers prepare to take on the Ottawa Senators in a critical game early in the year for this New York Rangers roster. Currently sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division, the Blueshirts need these two points to stay in touch with the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. Ottawa has started the season well, so there's a chance for the Rangers to make a statement tonight.
Mika Zibanejad is supposedly unhappy with his dwindling ice time with the Blueshirts, as the third line is getting more time due to their success. The best way for any player to get back on the ice, Mika included, is to put the puck in the net. Look for a bounceback from Zibanejad and his linemates tonight, especially early. If they're going as we know they can, they'll be a threat Ottawa has to contend with all night.
On the other side of this coin, the Rangers need to shut down German center Tim Stutzle if they're going to win tonight. He's been the inspiration for the offense in the Canadian capital this season, so keeping the star center of the Senators quiet is going to be the essential gameplan for the Blueshirts tonight. They need the win, and this is a beatable Senators team that's been dwelling in the doldrums for a few years.
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Projected Lineups
Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk - Tim Stutzle - Ridley Grieg
Claude Giroux - Josh Norris - Drake Batherson
Noah Gregor - Zack Ostapchuk - Michael Amadio
Nick Cousins - Adam Gaudette - Zack MacEwen
Jake Sanderson - Travis Hamonic
Thomas Chabot - Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven
Jacob Bernard-Docker
Linus Ullmark
Anton Forsberg
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Reilly Smith
Will Cuylle - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Adam Edstrom - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe
K'Andre Miller - Adam Fox
Ryan Lindgren - Jacob Trouba
Braden Schneider - Victor Mancini
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Puck Drop
Tonight's game will start at 7 p.m. with a puck drop from Madison Square Garden. New York must rebound from its effort against the Capitals if it wants to capture a fifth Stanley Cup for the organization. This team is more than good enough, but we're in a critical moment of the young season for this squad. Can they silence the doubters and cement themselves as contenders, or will the crumble continue?