The Rangers have a chance to clinch the Metro Division tonight against the Islanders. They will need some help, as they need Carolina to lose in regulation to Boston in addition to beating the Isles in any manner tonight. Given how the standings are shaking out, it’s best if Boston loses in regulation while the Rangers win, just to get closer to the #1 spot in the East and perhaps the NHL.

The lineup is back to “normal” tonight, with both Erik Gustafsson and Jack Roslovic drawing back in after one game scratches. It does seem that Matt Rempe and Zac Jones will get more time when the Rangers clinch, but it’s been drawn out a bit longer than some had hoped.

If the Rangers win and both Dallas and Boston lose, then the magic number is 1 and we might start seeing some guys rested. Especially on defense as Chad Ruhwedel has barely played since the Rangers acquired him. But first things first, they need to win tonight to ensure some rest.

Islanders Lines

Casey Cizikas-Bo Horvat-Mat Barzal
Simon Holmstrom-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee-JG Pageau-Pierre Engvall
Matt Martin-Kyle MacLean-Cal Clutterbuck

Alex Romanov-Noah Dobson
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly-Robert Bortuzzo

Ilya Sorokin gets the start

Rangers Lines

Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Will Cuylle-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Barclay Goodrow-Jonny Brodzinski-Jimmy Vesey

Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson-Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin gets the start

Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg)

Crazy Prediction: The Rangers clinch the division.

Game time is 7pm.

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