The Rangers are winners of four in a row, but you wouldn’t know it based on how some of the reaction online is. The Blueshirts haven’t looked overly great, especially in playing down to a horrible Chicago team on Friday night. But a win is a win, and the good news is that Igor Shesterkin looks far better in net. The bad news is the powerplay looks bad and the units got a shakeup, for better or for worse.
The Flames are sellers, but they are also winners of their last three on this road trip, looking for a clean sweep. The Rangers can spoil that while getting a good look at some redistributed powerplay time and a new look fourth line. It’s the time to tinker, but also the time to gain confidence. All of this plays into the Rangers trade deadline plans.
This isn’t a must win, but it’s definitely a should win, and hopefully win big, since the Flames are due for a clunker.
Flames Lines
Jonathan Huberdeau-Yegor Sharangovich-Andrei Kuzmenko
Connor Zary-Nazem Kadri-Martin Pospisil
Andrew Mangiapane-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
Jakob Pelletier-Kevin Rooney-Walker Duehr
Noah Hanifin-Chris Tanev
Mackenzie Weegar-Rasmus Andersson
Oliver Kylington-Brayden Pachal
Jacob Markstrom gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Blake Wheeler
Will Cuylle-Jonny Brodzinski-Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Adam Edstrom
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson-Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion)
Crazy Prediction: Sooner or later they score more than 3 in regulation, right?
Game time is 7pm.
More About:Game Thread