On Thursday, Jan. 16th, the New York Rangers will be facing off against the Utah Hockey Club for the second time in history.
This will also be the Rangers (20-20-3) first time being hosted by Utah. In these two teams' first matchup against each other, the Blueshirts fought back to force overtime but ended up losing 6-5. Going into Thursday, the Rangers have earned five points in a row and boast a 4-1-2 record for 2025.
New York has the leg up record wise; Utah only has 18 regulations win for the 2024-25 season in total so far.
The Rangers have also seen numerous player updates as of late. 22-year-old Matt Rempe returned to this ice this month following his eight game suspension in addition to veterans Chris Kreider and Igor Shesterkin finally coming back from injured reserve.
Records and player updates aside, Clayton Keller is obviously the opposing team's player to watch ahead of the Jan. 16th matchup.
Clayton Keller
Ahead of joining the NHL, he broke Phil Kessel's record for points by a player in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2014-16 with 189.
Keller is 26-years-old and is a left handed right wing. On Oct. 4, 2024, The Missouri native was named captain of the Utah Hockey Club, the first in team history since the NHL Board of Governors approved the establishment of a franchise in Salt Lake City on June 13, 2024.
Recently on Dec. 31, 2024, Keller missed a game against the Oilers due to illness. He'll likely be stronger against the Rangers as he has recorded six points in the six games since.
He's played in the NHL All-Star Game four times (2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024). Keller, No. 9, is the team-leader for Utah with 43 points across 14 goals and 29 assists. Out of the team's 43 games, he's played in 42 — only missing the previously mentioned game against Edmonton.
At only 5'7" and 170 pounds, the Rangers certainly have him beat when it comes to size. However Keller is among the new generation of small, nimble forwards such as Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks and Johnny Gaudreau of Calgary who have the skill to beat bigger opponents without taking a pounding.
How to Tune In
Puck drop for the Utah Hockey Club hosting the Rangers is slated for 9:00 p.m. EST, tonight — Thursday, Jan. 16th. The game will be available for streaming via ESPN+ and be sure to tune into ourTwitter for live updates.