The Rangers are currently on a 3-1-1 run following an 0-2-2 stretch in October, which means they’ve basically been playing .500 hockey for a few weeks. Injuries have mounted, and the Rangers certainly miss Ryan Lindgren, but they’ve been playing down to inferior teams, the Islanders included. The Rangers should be better than most teams they play, but have been selective about when they show it.
The Isles are a good team, don’t misunderstand, but the Rangers are and should be better. That wasn’t the case in their first meeting, with Ilya Sorokin stealing one for the Isles. Now it’s Semyon Varlamov in net with the Rangers showcasing new lines and a healthy group of 12 forwards. Missing Lindgren hurts, but the forwards should be able to outscore an Isles team that lacks offensive depth.
Isles Lines
Josh Bailey-Mat Barzal-Oliver Wahlstrom
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Anthony Beauvillier
Zach Parise-JG Pageau-Kyle Palmieri
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Alex Romanov-Noah Dobson
Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield
Semyon Varlamov gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Aretmiy Panari-Mika Zibanejad-Kaapo Kakko
Alexis Lafreniere-Vincent Trocheck-Jimmy Vesey
Chris Kreider-Filip Chytil-Vitali Kravtsov
Sammy Blais-Ryan Carpenter-Barclay Goodrow
K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox
Libor Hajek–Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones-Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Julien Gauthier (upper body), Ryan Lindgren (upper body)
Crazy Prediction: The Rangers don’t play down to their opponent
Game time is 7pm.
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