The Rangers are right back at it against the Blackhawks, this time in Chicago to kick off the start of another back to back set of games. The Rangers are riding hot and will look to build on their six game win streak while Chicago will look to even up the season series against their fellow original six team. With not much changing on the Rangers front, they will look to Alexandar Georgeiv to once again take care of business following a strong performance against the Blackhawks over the weekend. Depending on how tonight goes will be a clear deciding factor on whether the Rangers give Georgiev back to back starts or will look to Adam Huska in his first career start against a strong Avalanche team.
Aside from the goal tending decision, there isn't much new on the Rangers front. Adam Fox had a maintenance day yesterday but is expected to be good to go for tonight. Greg McKegg remains on the league's COVID-19 protocol list, likely not playing any time soon. The lines the Rangers have been running with will likely remain the same as that's what has been working:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Hunt
Lafreniere - Chytil - Gauthier
Rooney - Goodrow - Reaves
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Nemeth - Lundkvist
While there hasn't been much to be concerned about with this team, the one stat line that is beginning to loom is Mika Zibanejad hasn't had a goal since his two goal night against Edmonton on November 5th. Zibanejad, who only has four goals on the season hasn't quite been able to find his scoring touch this season but has still remained productive not going more than a game without an assist since that game. Thankfully, Kreider has been one of the hottest players in the league, Panarin and Strome have continued to find the net, as has Alexis Lafreniere and more surprisingly, Kevin Rooney.
On the back end, Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba have also been pleasantly surprising this team offensively, racking up nine goals between the two of them. At the end of the day, we can pick apart this team and point out who we need more from on a nightly basis but the fact is, the team is winning and until they aren't, there isn't much to criticize. The goals will come and once Zibanejad finds the net, it's going to create a domino effect.
The highlight going into tonight's game is Artemi Panarin is on the brink of 500 career points and has the opportunity to get it against the team he began his career with. For a guy who has a tendency to perform against his former teams, I'd say it's pretty safe money to throw on him finding the back of the net tonight or at the very least, an assist. All in all, expect more of the same kind of play as last game with perhaps a bit more urgency and a little more excitement.
Chris Feldman
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