The Rangers are on the road again as they head to the capital of our brothers to the north, to take on the Ottawa Senators. The Rangers are coming off their second shootout in a row, this time falling short against the Detroit Red Wings. Ottawa is a team in a similar situation as Detroit, looking to move on from the rebuilding years, inching their way towards a new identity. As for New York, they'll be looking to bounce back from the shootout loss and get off to a much better start than they have been in any of their recent games.
This will be the second meeting of the season for these two teams, the Rangers already having beat the Sens back in late October. Shocker, the Rangers didn't get off to a great start in that one either but ended up scoring three goals in three and a half minutes in the third period to come from behind and win 3-2. Ottawa may not seem like a team to worry about with a 18-25-5 record, almost twenty points out of a playoff spot, however this team has a spark to them and play with a bit of sandpaper making no matchup with them a walk in the park.
Ottawa will be taking the Rangers on in the second half of a back to back, having lost to the Bruins in OT at home last night. While the back to back required no travel, it's still fair to assume the Sens could be a little tired from the night before, making a strong start all the more imperative for the Blueshirts. Last night's OT loss gives Ottawa a record 5-4-1 in their last ten. Three of those wins coming against teams like Carolina, Washington and Edmonton. The Send may not seem like a threat but they have a strong future core in Stutzle, Tkachuk, Batherson, Norris and Chabot as well some depth veteran guys really pulling their weight in Nick Paul and Tyler Ennis. Paul especially having a strong year, really proving himself a glue guy and a leader on this Ottawa team.
On the Rangers end, expect much of the same. Patrik Nemeth skated with Schneider in yesterday's practice so there is a chance he returns to the lineup but his status is still uncertain. That being said, we're looking at:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Lafreniere
Panarin - Strome - Goodrow
Hunt - Chytil - Gauthier
McKegg - Rooney - Reaves
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Jones/Nemeth - Schneider
Expect Gerard Gallant to run Igor Shesterkin who will likely face Matt Murray in goal as Anton Forsberg got the start last night. The Rangers need to get off to a better start as that's becoming quite the issue along with scoring at 5 v 5. Ryan Strome talked about how the players are aware of it following practice yesterday so you have to hope that they'll show some urgency right from the jump. The Rangers won't play again until Washington comes to town on Thursday, all the more reason why the Rangers should require a win coming out of Canada this Sunday evening.
Chris Feldman
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