New York Rangers hectic schedule continues as they ship up to face the Boston Bruins

Dec 16, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) tries to bat the
Dec 16, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) tries to bat the / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

This recent stretch of the schedule has been a living nightmare for the New York Rangers. Playing teams like the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and now the Boston Bruins means this was going to be a deadly stretch for the Blueshirts when the roster was fully healthy, but now, with several key pieces missing, this looks like a nightmare stretch for the New York organization.

As for tonight in Beantown, we can all expect Igor Shesterkin to go against whichever one of that two-headed monster goaltending rotation the Bruins opt to ride with tonight. These two are the reigning William M. Jennings Trophy-winning tandem for the fewest goals allowed in a season because they are two of the best in the league. Shesterkin will have to outduel a very talented netminder at the other end.

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After the defeat to Winnipeg, we may see some changes to the lineup, but with Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren away from the team, there's little to change here. Matt Rempe will probably drawback in because this is a very physical Bruins lineup, and he is the kind of guy you want here to cause doubt when the Bruins consider their shenanigans.

Projected Lineups

New York Rangers

Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Jack Roslovic
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle - Alex Wennberg - Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey - Barclay Goodrow - Matt Rempe
K'Andre Miller - Adam Fox
Erik Gustafsson - Braden Schneider
Zac Jones - Chad Ruhwedel
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick

Boston Bruins

Danton Heinen - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk
Jauk Lauko - Morgan Geekie - Trent Frederic
John Beecher - Jesper Boqvist - Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Kevin Shattenkirk - Andrew Peeke
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman

Puck Drop

This game is a 7 p.m. puck drop game from TD Garden in Boston. We know the two teams are towards the top of the NHL's standings, so this will be a substantial test. Will the Rangers' make-shift defense be enough to bring down the brash Bruins offense? New York needs the two points to maintain its lead in the division, and the Bruins are trying to win their division. Two of the Original Six clash with both divisions on the line? Sounds like a must-watch game to me!