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Rangers step up in class, take on NHL-leading Jets at MSG tonight |
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The Rangers, after two days off, return to action tonight at MSG. New York takes a step up in class, facing the NHL best Winnipeg Jets, who come in with a 14-1-0 record. The Blueshirts will ride in net with Jonathan Quick, who posted a 37-save shutout versus the Red Wings,
Projected lines vs. Winnipeg:
Panarin-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Kreider-Trocheck-Smith
Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko
Edström-Carrick-Vesey
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Jones-Schneider
Quick
Shesterkin
(update 11am: Igor the first goalie off the ice, looks like he will start)
Scratches: Mancini, Brodzinski
The lines today are the same as against Detroit. New York was penned in their own end for a good portion of the first and most of the second period in that contest. A repeat performance will likely result in a far different outcome, unless Quick stands on his head between the pipes.
A slow start again by the top-six forwards will likely result in shuffling back to the original trios. The bottom-six have been fine, especially since the third line has been reunited. New York's fourth line has provided grit to go along with their solid forecheck and defensive play. Plus they can chip in occasionally offensively.
Defensively, well, the tweet below says it all. The performance has not been good, save for Zac Jones and Braden Schneider. Mixing up the top-four again almost seems like lipstick on a pig, but putting K'Andre Miller back with Adam Fox looks like a probable outcome. Victor Mancini has hit a little bit of a wall, meaning he might remain a healthy scratch, at least until there is an injury or he is sent down to avoid atrophying. A change is needed, which also includes the forwards doing their job defensively, because right now is not close to good enough.
Quick was so good Saturday and since Igor Shesterkin had a rough outing against Buffalo, going back to Quick is not that shocking. He deserves the start tonight due to his brilliance versus the Red Wings. Quick has been the perfect backup goalie who can step in when needed and has shown he is capable of a bigger workload. If he wins tonight.... (update: disregard the above paragraph as Igor was the first goalie off the ice today, meaning he likely will be the starter)
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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