Last night's dismal performance against the Los Angeles Kings has the New York Rangers searching for answers. They'll need to find them quickly as the games keep coming thick and fast this holiday season. New York is on the road again with a trip to the Gateway to the West as the St Louis Blues will be the opponent for a slightly early start this Sunday night. New York must stop the bleeding and pick up a few points tonight.
After Igor Shesterkin got shelled and Jonathan Quick came into the game in relief of the Russian netminder, you can make a case for having either goaltender start. Given Quick's advanced age, Igor is the more durable netminder and could be given the start, but if Quick were promised this start earlier, New York wouldn't want to go back on its word to the three-time Stanley Cup champion. Truthfully, it doesn't matter. Goaltending hasn't been the Rangers issue this season.
Connor Mackey was one of the better-performing Rangers in the 5-1 thrashing at home yesterday, as he continues to fill in for K'Andre Miller. Zac Jones struggled, and New York will require Jones to get back to the level at which he started the season. He started well, but he's struggling with his confidence and decision-making. Without Trouba and Miller, Jones needs to be significantly better than yesterday afternoon.
Projected Lineups
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 - Brett Berard
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
Connor Mackey - Braden Schneider
Zac Jones - Victor Mancini
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
St Louis Blues
Pavel Buchnevich - Robert Thomas - Jordan Kyrou
Dylan Holloway - Brayden Schenn - Jake Neighbours
Alexandre Texier - Oskar Sundqvist - Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko - Nathan Walker - Mathieu Joseph
Philip Broberg - Colton Parayko
Cam Fowler - Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter - Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Jordan Binnington
Joel Hofer
Puck Drop
A 6 p.m. puck drop will pit these two teams against each other from St Louis. It's been a challenging run of games for the Rangers, but a win tonight will put the Blueshirts back in the playoff places. It's a simple solution to the struggles for the Rangers: win. Win tonight, and the pressure will die down a touch.