The Rangers look to rebound from a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Isles tonight against the Flyers. Philly comes in having lost eight in a row, going 0-6-2, allowing 42 goals while scoring 16. On paper, this should be a no-contest, but we know games are not played on paper. Get an early lead, put the seed of doubt in their mind, and take care of business. The Islanders are on Saturday at 12:30 with a contest versus Ottawa at MSG on Monday to close the regular season.
Rangers lineup tonight vs. Flyers:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Roslovic
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Wennberg-Kakko
Goodrow-Brodzinski-Vesey
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Gustafsson-Schneider
Quick
Shesterkin
Scratches: Rempe, Jones, Ruhwedel
LTIR: Chytil, Wheeler
What's noticeable is that the
lineup is the same after the morning skate. This means that Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck, all of whom were banged up for different reasons, are okay. Zib collided with Adam Pelech, resulting in him leaving the game and a post-game tirade from coach Peter Laviolette, but he is none the worse for wear. Kreider took friendly fire from a Zib shot but returned to action. Trocheck was boarded by Noah Dobson in an uncalled infraction, which likely was the trigger point for Laviolette in the post-game.
Much of the discussion has centered around playing
Matt Rempe. I completely understand why he is not in the lineup tonight. Against Philly, who is operating on fumes, why give them a rallying point if Rempe does anything silly. If New York clinches the division - see below for scenarios - I fully expect Rempe against the Islanders. Even if they don't clinch, given what transpired Tuesday, I give better than even-odds that he is in the lineup.
My bigger issue is starting Erik Gustafsson. He was not good Tuesday. He has not been really good for a while. Zac Jones deserves to play and should be on the third pairing with Braden Schneider. Maybe this is a tryout of sorts for Gus, but another poor game or two and Laviolette has to make the change to Schneider.
I am not surprised that
Jonathan Quick is between the pipes. Igor Shesterin will likely go Saturday. If the Rangers have clinched the division, Quick probably is in net versus Ottawa. If not, then Igor should be between the pipes.
Thanks to jimbo for posting this. Carolina plays St. Louis tonight, which won't be an easy game. After tonight, though, the Canes take on Chicago and Columbus that should be easy wins. What that means is that the Rangers will have to take care of business themselves. Beat Philly tonight and really be in the driver seat for the final two games of the season.
- RangersMuse @nyrangersmuse
If the Rangers win tonight, they will eliminate FIVE teams from Presidents Trophy contention:
— Canucks (Max 111 points)
— Avalanche (Max 110 points)
— Panthers (Max 110 points)
— Jets (Max 110 points)
— Oilers (Max 111 points)
A regulation win would guarantee the first two tiebreakers to be in favor of the Rangers against the Dallas Stars
They already own the RW tiebreaker against the Bruins, and need just 3 points to clinch the East
And with a win today and a Canes regulation loss tomorrow, the Metro will officially be clinched
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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