NY Rangers Game 36: Need to play better

The Rangers begin their California trip in Anaheim tonight, which means another one of those 10pm games. The Blueshirts had a bit of a clunker against Vegas the other night, which means short memories are needed tonight against the Ducks. Anaheim isn’t that good of a team, they just happen to play in a weak division. John Gibson is also on the Covid list, which helps the Rangers a ton (as of this afternoon).

For the Rangers to take advantage of the Ducks, they need to get their own house in order. Gerard Gallant seems dedicated to playing at least one non-NHL defenseman, and tonight that’s Jarred Tinordi. The offense needs to wake up, which is going to fall on the top line and the kids.

Ducks Lines (best guess)

Max Comtois-Isac Lundestrom-Troy Terry
Jacob Perrault-Trevor Zegras-Vinni Lettieri
Rickard Rakell-Sam Steel-Jakub Silfverberg
Bryce Kindopp-Benoit Groulx-Buddy Robinson (these are not made up names, I swear)

Cam Fowler-Josh Manson
Kevin Shattenkirk-Jamie Drysdale
Simon Benoit-Greg Pateryn

Anthony Stolarz gets the start.

Rangers Lines (I have no idea, will be updated at puck drop)

Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Kaapo Kakko
Alexis Lafreniere-Ryan Strome–Barclay Goodrow
Greg McKegg–Kevin Rooney-Filip Chytil
Tim Gettinger–Morgan Barron-Jonny Brodzinski

K’Andre Miller–Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren–Adam Fox
Jarred Tinordi-Nils Lundkvist

PP1: Strome-Zibanejad-Kakko-Kreider-Fox
PP2: Lafreniere-Chytil-??-Miller-Trouba

Alex Georgiev gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Sammy Blais (knee – done for season), Artemiy Panarin (COVID protocol), Libor Hajek (healthy), Patrik Nemeth (personal), Igor Shesterkin (Covid protocol), Julien Gauthier (Covid protocol), JRyan Reaves (Covid protocol)

Crazy Prediction: No one asks “Who’s that?” when the third and fourth lines are on the ice.

Game time is 10pm.