New York Rangers land in the Windy City to face the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks

Two straight wins following the all-star break have left the Rangers in a strong position in the division. Still maintaining a two point advantage at the top of the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in a game that is a complete banana skin game. The possibility to blow something tonight when everything points to an easy blueshirt victory will have a few fans fearing for the worst in this one.

One thing we do know ahead of tonights game is that we will see Igor Shesterkin for the first time since he appeared in the all-star game. Igor's struggled with an .899 save percentage to this point in this season. He'll get to face a team that is incredibly low in the standings, with the chance of fixing his problems with pure shot volume. The Chicago Blackhawks are the worst offensive team in the league, so this feels like a perfect cure.

Former New York Rangers Jarred Tinordi and Colin Blackwell will oppose their former organization tonight. After the Patrick Kane deal last year, this might be a game where the GM's are watching to scout the opposition and line up trade deadline targets, whether that be young roster players for the Blackhawks, or a difference maker for the New York Rangers organization. The deadline will loom large for both organizations.

Projected Lineups

New York Rangers

Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Blake Wheeler
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle - Jonny Brodzinski - Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey - Barclay Goodrow - Tyler Pitlick
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson - Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno - Philipp Kurashev - Taylor Raddysh
Colin Blackwell - Jason Dickinson - Joey Anderson
Lukas Reichel - Mackenzie Entwistle - Tyler Johnson
Boris Katchouk - Rem Pitlick - Ryan Donato
Alex Vlasic - Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski - Jaycob Megna
Jarred Tinordi - Isaak Phillips
Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom

Puck Drop

It'll be the famous United Center in Chicago, Illinois that will host this game as an 8:30 pm puck drop will see these two original six teams clash. It'll be a fun game, and the Rangers need to find a way to get the two points. Chicago are injured, with most of their best players sitting on the injured reserve. If the Rangers fail to take advantage tonight, it's going to be considered a missed chance for the Blueshirts