It’s the annual post-Christmas Florida trip for the New York Rangers, in Sunrise tonight to take on the Panthers before going to Tampa tomorrow. The Blueshirts just wrecked Washington at MSG, but now have a pair of tough contests against two of the Atlantic Division’s best. The Panthers play fast, can score, and are pretty balanced up and down the lineup. They are a good team.
The Rangers have played well despite the injuries, but it is clear their roster is in need of another scoring forward. Luckily for them, their powerplay is one of the best in the NHL and their overall team defense –when they’re on– is stellar as well. This will be another test of shutting down a fast team that is likely another playoff contender. If the Rangers can continue to do this without two top players, then imagine when they are back/replaced.
Panthers Lines
Evan Rodrigues-Aleksander Barkov-Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaege-Sam Bennett-Matt Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarainen-Anton Lundell-Nick Cousins
Ryan Lomberg-Kevin Stenlund-Will Lockwood
Gustav Forsling-Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola-Brandon Montour
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Dmitriy Kulikov
Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Blake Wheeler
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle-Nick Bonino-Jonny Brodzinski
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Tyler Pitlick
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson-Braden Schneider
Jonathan Quick gets the start.
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Kaapo Kakko (leg)
Crazy Prediction: Matt Tkachuk doesn’t score.
Game time is 7pm.
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