The NY Rangers have taken seven of eight points in their last four games, signaling a potential turn in their fortunes following a losing streak overshadowed by the Patrick Kane acquisition. Things aren’t rolling and there are holes in their play, but they’ve been getting points, and that’s all that matters. Today starts two in a row at MSG against the Penguins, where the Rangers can more or less clinch the #3 seed in the Metro Division.
One win over the Penguins in the next two essentially seals the #3 seed for the Rangers, as it would be an incredibly difficult task for one of them or the Isles to catch them. It would still be mathematically possible, of course, but that would require an insane losing streak or an equally insane winning streak.
Lineups below are projected, as I wrote this post in the morning.
Penguins Lines
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby–Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Alex Nylander
Drew O’Connor-Mikael Granlund-Rickard Rakell
Danton Heinan-Jeff Carter-Josh Archibald
Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin-Jeff Petry
Pierre-Olivier Joseph-Jan Rutta
Tristan Jarry gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider-Vincent Trocheck-Patrick Kane
Artemi Panarin-Mika Zibanejad-Vladimir Tarasenko
Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko
Tyler Motte-Barclay Goodrow-Jimmy Vesey
Niko Mikkola-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Ben Harpur-Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Ryan Lindgren (shoulder)
Crazy Prediction: Crosby doesn’t complain to the refs about something.
Game time is 7pm.
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