This stupid 5-in-7 ends today at MSG with the Islanders coming to town. So far the Rangers have collected six of eight points, which is definitely a win for this stretch. They have a chance to make it eight of ten points while also dealing a significant blow to the Isles’ playoff chances.
The Isles are 1 point back of Detroit for the final playoff spot with a game in hand, but need to leapfrog the Caps to get there. Making matters worse for the Isles is their 15 OT losses means they have no tie breakers and need to win that spot outright. A loss to the Rangers today would be a big blow to their chances.
As for the Rangers, they are holding onto their 4 point lead in the Metro, but now find themselves in a position to claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They are three points behind Boston with two games in hand and two points behind Florida, also with one game in hand. It’s not necessary, but it would certainly help them avoid Tampa in the first round.
Islanders Lines
Brock Nelson-Bo Horvat-Mat Barzal
Anders Lee-JG Pageau-Kyle Palmieri
Pierre Engvall-Casey Cizikas-Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin-Kyle MacLean-Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech-Noah Dobson
Alex Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly-Sebastian Aho
Ilya Sorokin gets the start
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Jimmy Vesey-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Will Cuylle-Barclay Goodrow-Jonny Brodzinski
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Braden Schneider
Zac Jones-Erik Gustafsson
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg), Jacob Trouba (lower body), Matt Rempe (suspension)
Crazy Prediction: An Igor goal.
Game time is 1pm.
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