The Rangers have looked bad the last few games, with yesterday’s clunker in Washington possibly the worst we’ve seen the Rangers all season. It won’t get better soon, as the Blueshirts are likely to play today’s game against the LA Kings with a short handed blue line
To clear the necessary cap space for Patrick Kane, the Rangers traded Vitali Kravtsov and waived Jake Leschyshyn yesterday. The Ryan Lindgren injury made things far worse, as the Rangers, already playing with 11 forwards, were down to 6 defensemen for most of the game. They will have 12 forwards today against a much better Kings team that is likely headed to the playoffs.
Goaltending has been the major concern lately to most people, and Igor Shesterkin has certainly had some rough games. However yesterday’s abysmal showing was due to team defense, not Shesterkin. Shesterkin was good, making many difficult saves look somewhat easy. But there’s only so much a guy can do when his team surrenders 12 high danger chances in a period.
The Blueshirts need to shore up team defense, and fast.
Kings Lines
Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala-Phillip Danault-Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo-Blake Lizotte-Gabriel Vilardi
Jaret Anderson-Dolan-Rasmus Kupari-Arthur Kaliyev
Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty
Sean Durzi-Matt Roy
Alex Edler-Sean Walker
Jonathan Quick gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jimmy Vesey
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko
Tyler Motte-Ryan Carpenter-Barclay Goodrow
Niko Mikkola-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Ben Harpur-Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Ryan Lindgren (shoulder)
Crazy Prediction: A win?
Game time is 5pm.
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