The Rangers come home off a four-game road trip where they went 1-1-2. The record doesn't do justice to how that trip went, as we all know. New York takes on an undefeated in regulation Florida team that will be slightly undermanned but very dangerous.

For the Blueshirts, the expectation is that Filip Chytil will miss the game with the upper-body injury he suffered Saturday against Calgary. No official word, but he was not on the ice for the morning skate. In addition, no word of Greg McKegg getting recalled, which only would happen if Kappo ends up on the injured list, or Morgan Barron making the trip from Hartford to MSG, so we are likely to see Julien Gauthier in the lineup tonight. Who replaces Chytil as the 3C is unknown, but Kevin Rooney might get moved up or a radical move would be to try Alexis Lafreniere, though is unlikely to happen. (Update: Sammy Blais is skating on the top line. Barclay Goodrow will center Laf and Gauthier)

On defense, my - and I think everyone's - hope and expectation is that Nils Lundkvist is back in the lineup for Jarred Tinordi. Between the pipes should be Igor Shesterikin, despite his rough game Saturday, where the D left him out to dry. No word of any changes, but again, those may come in the pre-game skate. In addition, Libor Hajek has been assigned to @WolfPackAHL (conditioning).

For the Panthers, who are 10-0-1 and lead the league in points, Spencer Knight will start in goal. Aleksander Barkov is a game time decision (Update: Barkov is in the lineup Friday). Sergei Bobrovsky is as well but he would only dress as a backup. Sam Bennett and Joe Thornton remain day to day for Florida. Old friend, Anthony Duclair comes back to MSG.

The Blueshirts have their hands more than full tonight, Performances like against Edmonton late or the full game against Calgary and it could get ugly at MSG. New York needs an effort like they had against Columbus at home and Nashville to earn a victory. After tonight's contests, the Rangers have four full days off before facing the Blue Jackets on Saturday, Small hint to coach Gerard Gallant, lots of work on the structure should be the primary focus in practice.

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