NY Rangers lines tonight: Ryan Lindgren finally returns

The NY Rangers lines tonight will feature the welcomed and needed return of defenseman Ryan Lindgren. The return comes at perhaps the perfect time, with the Rangers set to open a home-and-home against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at MSG. The Metro Division title is still within reach, albeit barely, and a sweep puts the Rangers in striking distance.

Naturally, this is a huge return for the Rangers. They’ve clamped down defensively a bit now that they can dress 18 skaters, but there have been some issues with overall team defense. Even in both shutouts over the weekend, Igor Shesterkin and Jaro Halak were forced to make some pretty spectacular saves. The scores of each game mask this, and we shouldn’t be relying on Shesty or Halak to make highlight reel saves each game.

Lindgren’s return will solidify both the even strength and penalty kill pairs. It also pushes the wildly ineffective Ben Harpur back to the press box.