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Game 11: NYR-NYI, Rangers aim to keep win streak going |
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the Rangers, off since Thursday's win over Washington, face the Islanders tonight. New York will next have back-to-back contests against Boston at home on Wednesday and Friday. The Blueshirts will then face a very rested Flyers team, who after tonight's game will be off until Sunday's matchup due to additional Devils games getting postponed.
Guess who New York faces after that game? New Jersey, after the team has gone through two weeks without games and the majority of the roster landed on the COVID-19 list. Anyone have a clue how the hell they will fit in 56 games for each team given all the postponed? Are we looking at win percentage or percentage of points earned to decide the playoffs again?
Same lineup as against the Caps. The only question is who would be between the pipes. Would it be Igor off his best game of the season or Alexandar Georgiev, who has excelled against the Isles. No wrong decision, but I agree with going with Shesterkin after his excellent performance Thursday.
David Quinn noted today:
Brendan Smith is "getting closer."
Colin Blackwell skated today.
Jack Johnson did not skate, but is "making progress.
Filip Chytil is still "a ways away."
Maybe Smith goes Wednesday, but if Libor Hajek and Anthony Bitetto play well, I don't see that happening. Johnson probably won't be back for about a week. Maybe Blackwell is ready by the end of the week, while Chytil is at least two weeks away, but likely three, best case scenario.
Brooks had a lot of interesting info in the column. His update on Tony DeAngelo pretty much indicates a timely resolution of this status isn't happening. To me, though his advocating going with the kids over the vets - a theme we all have been pushing - is aspect that struck me most.
it has created a scenario under which 22-year-old Tarmo Reunanen, who played well in his North American debut on Sunday in the Wolf Pack’s AHL season-opening victory over Bridgeport, should be next in line.
This is all well and good for the athletes, (in terms of progress by Smith and Johnson) but unless Hajek and Reunanen are overwhelmed, there is no good reason the veterans should play ahead of the kids. Neither Johnson nor Smith represents the future on Broadway. Hajek and Reunanen might. Management and the coaching staff owe it to themselves and the organization to find out.
Completely accurate view. Granted, that depends on how well Hajek plays, if Bitetto can remain on the bottom pair and Reunanen plays as he did in Game One. If this happens, then by all means stick with the Hajek and add in Reunanen to the mix while sitting Smith and Johnson while rotating Bitetto in. If not, then add in Smith first and Johnson second to the mix.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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