After a two day game break the New York Rangers are back at it against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. This is a very important game for the Rangers as well as a very exciting one as goaltender Igor Sheshterkin makes his return to the net after being out for what feels like forever with a mild groin issue. Keith Kinkaid will return to the taxi squad but should do so proudly as for the majority of his performances with the Rangers were stellar. Tonight will be the perfect opportunity for Igor to jump right back in and hopefully have a strong night as he appears to be back at 100% health again.
The Philadelphia Flyers are 3-7 in their last ten, currently on a 3 game losing streak, only winning one game following the last night these two teams battled. The 9-0 massacre that came exactly a day and a week ago will certainly be on everyone's mind going into this game. The Flyers will look for vengeance and the Rangers will look to maintain their strong play and build a winning streak of their own. I mentioned before the game against Buffalo that the Rangers need to go in with the mentality that they are better than the team they are playing, although in a smart way. That's how they got the win in Buffalo, they played with confidence but not cockiness. This is the same approach they should go into Philly with.
It's no secret were at a point in the season where every point is significant. However in a game against Philly who the Rangers, along with Boston will be competing day and night with for two playoffs spots, plus the rivalry of the two teams will make for a high stakes, high intensity match up. The Rangers have been good in their last couple games, obtaining nine out of twelve possible points in their last six games. They've had the chance to do so, but this is truly the time the Rangers want to get hot.
The line up will look the same as Phil Di Giuseppe and Brett Howden along with the teams coaching staff remain on the leagues COVID-19 list:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Panarin - Strome - Kakko
Lafreniere - Chytil - Gauthier
Lemieux - Rooney - Blackwell
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Smith - Hajek
Kaapo Kakko has found himself back on that second line, scoring two goals in the last game which is huge for him as well as this team. With no disrespect to Colin Blackwell who quite frankly has outdone himself already this season, there is no reason other than injuries or COVID-19 related changes that he should be on that second, even third line again. Between Gauthier playing well, Kravtsov joining the team and Kakko hopefully being back to scoring, there is no reason the young stars of this team shouldn't be getting their chance on the wing with Strome and Panarin.
It's been said a lot especially in the last couple of stretches of games but tonight will truly be a big test for this young team. Regardless of how frustrating losing can be, you really can't look at what this team has done given the circumstances this year and be disappointed. Realistically, this year will be a more difficult year for a team to make playoffs and the fact that the Rangers are looking to push for one of those last spots with either Boston or Philly is pretty darn good. If this team can stay healthy, avoid COVID and everyone stays producing like they should, we're in for an exciting second half of the season.
Chris Feldman
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