Three Key Pregame Notes Ahead of Taking on St. Louis

After splitting the four-game West Coast road trip, the New York Rangers look to get back on track against a new-look St. Louis Blues team. The time is now if there was ever a game to get it together. 

Even though they picked up four crucial points over their last four games, the matter in which they were beaten down in the last two games has become a concern for many Rangers fans. They cannot afford to lose to a Blues team that has not been all that impressive this season. 

The Rangers, at 12-6-1, take on the Blues, at 9-12-1, tonight at 7:00 PM EST at Madison Square Garden. Here's three things to take note of as the matchup approaches:

1. Back In Business 

Looking at Rangers fan social media, it seems that the Rangers are selling this season and tanking. In all actuality, they are still in a great position in this early season to get into the playoffs five months from now. So let’s pump the breaks a bit. 

Still, this is the perfect game for the Rangers to try and get back in business. In all likelihood, goaltender Igor Shesterkin will be back in the net, and he could be a key player in this one. 

Another group of players that will be under the spotlight will be the defensive unit, who allowed a destructive 21-shot first period against Edmonton in the 6-2 rout. That simply cannot happen on a nightly basis. 

Artemi Panarin is single-handedly carrying the offense after he scored his team-high 11th and 12th goals in their last game against the Oilers. He has been red hot all season, and with the Blues being ranked 25th in the NHL with a Goals Against Average of 3.36, expect that streak to continue for “The Breadman”.

2. New Look Blues 

Over the past couple of days, big changes have come to the Blues. In a whirlwind, they fired their head coach, Drew Bannister. But, immediately after,they signed former Boston Bruins head coach and Jack Adams award winner, Jim Montgomery, to a five-year deal. 

With a new man at the helm, it will be interesting to see if they could turn it around. 

3. Some Game Day News 

Here are some pre-game news.  Per Vince Mercogliano of Lohud.com, Matt Rempe makes his way back to the Big Apple after being recalled from Hartford. This coincides with Chris Kreider having an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. 

Replacing Kreider is Brett Berard, who makes his NHL debut tonight on the second line with Will Cuylle and Mika Zibanejad. Filip Chytil is still appearing on skates but is still unknown when he will return to action.

Here is a projected line-up for tonight’s matchup: