The Rangers have an opportunity to be the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot tonight. They clinch with a win in any fashion, a point and any kind of Detroit loss, or a loss and a Detroit regulation loss. Personally, I prefer Option A, just win and get in. Be the first team to clinch.
It won’t be easy, as the Flyers are a surprisingly decent team and will likely be in the playoffs. It’s a bit odd how the Flyers have done it, as they have a negative goal differential with middling special teams numbers. Yet here they are, ahead of the Isles, Penguins, and Devils. They should not be taken for granted.
The Rangers are certainly going to be tested with three starting defensemen out. Zac Jones has been solid and playing his best stretch of hockey. Chad Ruhwedel is a known entity. Brandon Scanlin is the wild card. If his improvements in the AHL translate to the NHL, then the Rangers will at least be solid in their own end.
Flyers Lines
Owen Tippett-Morgan Frost-Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee-Scott Laughton-Bobby Brink
Tyson Foerster-Ryan Poehling-Garnet Hathaway
Noah Cates-Sean Couturier-Olle Lycksell
Cam York-Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula-Erik Johnson
Adam Ginning-Ronnie Attard
Sam Ersson gets the start
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Will Cuylle-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Matt Rempe
K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox
Zac JonesBraden Schneider
Brandon Scanlin-Chad Ruhwedel
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg), Jacob Trouba (lower body), Ryan Lindgren (lower body)
Crazy Prediction: The Rangers clinch a playoff spot.
Game time is 7pm.
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