The New York Rangers will battle the Boston Bruins for the fifth time the season, however for the first time in the historic city of Boston. The Bruins are 3-5-2 in their last ten and are coming off a pair of losses to the Devils and Islanders. Included in those last ten are the 6-2 loss to the Rangers as well as a 4-1 win against them, making the Rangers 1-3 against them this season. The Rangers are also coming off a pair of losses to the Pittsburgh Penguins so look for both of these teams to come out hungry for a win.
The Rangers however, may just have an edge in morale over the Bruins as there was a bit of a surprise return during team breakfast yesterday. Artemi Panarin has FINALLY rejoined the team following his leave of absence. While he will not return to the line up just yet, it is safe to assume he will be after a few more skates with the team. It's no doubt that getting your star player back is a huge boost to the teams overall play. However it may be what this super star brings to the team off the ice that is more significant. All of the guys on the team seem to look up to him and truly value him as a person as well as a player. Watch for this to translate on the ice now that he has joined back up with the Blueshirts.
As for the lineup tonight, there hasn't been many updates other than Alexandar Georgiev will return to the net. Georgiev hasn't played since getting pulled after allowing three quick goals in the first of two games against Pittsburgh. He has however seen a majority of the action against the Bruins this season. Igor Sheshterkin remains day-to-day and has been skating despite no time frame on when he could return to action.
There were no updates as of this morning on whether David Quinn will run the same line up as Tuesday or if he will look to tweak the fourth line and third D pairing. For as much as Rangers fans may not want to hear it, Jack Johnson had a pretty good outing Tuesday and may stay in the line up against the Bruins tonight. As for the forward group, I would imagine DQ will look to get Lemieux back in there despite his recent struggles. Being a healthy scratch on Tuesday may have lit a fire under him and his talents can certainly be beneficial if he brings his best to this game against the Bruins. My best guess for what were looking at tonight:
Lafreniere - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Chytil - Rooney - Gauthier
Lemieux - Howden - Blackwell
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Johnson - Smith
We are at the point of this shortened season where every game is going to have big significance and this game is no exception for this young Rangers team. A win will put them back at .500 and with Panarin expected to return Saturday, they just need Sheshterkin back to finally be at full strength. If the Blueshirts can carry into tonight the tenacity they played with in the third period of the game in Pittsburgh as well as the strong physical presence, they should have no issues walking out here with a win.
Chris Feldman
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