The New York Rangers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes back to MSG, exactly two months after Sebastian Aho took out Adam Fox with his “questionable” knee on knee hit. This was also the game the Rangers lost Filip Chytil, although that wasn’t due to a questionable play.
There is some unfinished business, as Aho did not answer the bell when challenged by Alexis Lafreniere. Aho instead played coward and ran away. The Rangers are aware of this, and while the best retribution is winning the game and keeping Carolina further away from competing for the Metro Division title, a little extra retribution might be coming.
As for actual hockey, the Canes, like the Devils, have a goaltending problem. Both New Jersey and Carolina can’t keep the puck out of the net, and it’s killing them in the standings. That gives the Rangers a big advantage.
Another big advantage is how Carolina generates offense: By getting point shots and then crashing the net. The Rangers are very good at keeping shots outside the home plate area and eliminating center line passes, so these broken plays that Carolina capitalizes on, while a threat, play into the Rangers’ strengths. Still, Carolina is very good.
Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Teuvo Teravainen
Stefan Noesen-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook-Jordan Staal-Seth Jarvis
Michael Bunting-Jack Drury-Brenden Lemieux
Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns
Brady Skjei-Brett Pesce
Dmitriy Orlov-Jalen Chatfield
Pyotr Kochetkov 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
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Kaapo Kakko (leg)
Crazy Prediction: Gordie Howe hat trick for Laf.
Game time is 7pm.
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