The Rangers look for their third straight win Sunday, taking on the Panthers. Florida comes in to MSG following a 2-1 loss to the Islanders on Saturday. Henrik Lundqvist, off two brilliant performances, will make his third straight start while Marc Staal will miss at least the next two weeks following ankle surgery.
Staal:
Rangers say D Marc Staal has had a surgical procedure to address an infection on his ankle. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) November 9, 2019
Staal had surgery last night — his problem apparently stems from a blocked shot a couple weeks ago and the infection came on suddenly, DQ said. No plans at this point to call up a D from Hartford (they do still have Brendan Smith, remember).
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) November 9, 2019
Staal has become an easy target. His advanced metrics are not good and his game has regressed. But he has given his heart and soul and body to this team, like Dan Girardi. Just like G, when Staal is gone, we will look back much more fondly on his career. Until then, he will be the poster boy to be whipped by Rangers' twitter.
Prior to the concussion, caused by his brother Eric, Marc looked to be taking his place as a first pair blueliner. Then add in losing partial sight in one eye and the other injuries and circumstances beyond his control have resulted in Staal being a shell of his former. Many would like him to retire to free up cap space down the road. That's a possibly, but that may not happen - if it does at all - until after the season.
With Staal out, Brady Skjei, a healthy scratch Thursday, re-enters the lineup. Skjei will be paired with Tony DeAngelo, leaving Libor Hajek with Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren with Adam Fox. One possibility was to move Brendan Smith back to the blueline with Skjei sitting again, but with Mika Zibanejad still out, that move won't happen. If that did happen, then the fourth line would have been McKegg-Andersson-Haley.
"Brady's eager to get back (Sunday) and he'll certainly play," Quinn said. "He went a little bit through this last year and he came back with a strong second half. I'm anticipating a great response out of him."
Some prospect news:
Following tonight's game, #NYR prospect Morgan Barron leads the NCAA in points per game (2.50) and is tied for first in the NCAA in goals per game (1.25) this season. https://t.co/qJSIqldscb
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) November 10, 2019
#NYR prospect Joey Keane has tallied an assist in Hartford's game tonight. He leads AHL defensemen in goals (six) and is tied for second among AHL defensemen in points (10) this season. #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) November 10, 2019
Following the conclusion of his game tonight (other NCAA games are still in progress), Wall is tied for 1st in the NCAA in wins (seven), ranks 2nd (min. 2 appearances) in SV% (.949), ranks 2nd in saves (334), and ranks 6th (min. 2 appearances) in GAA (1.59) this season. #NYR https://t.co/CwAfCPaiqP
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) November 10, 2019
Barron, acquired in the sixth round, 174th overall in the 2017 draft, has seen his stock rise the past two seasons. His offensive game is developing more rapidly then expected. Projected as a fourth liner, Barron is now possibly the third line center of the future and if his game continues to grow, a top-six role is a possibility.
Keane, selected with the pick acquired in the Nick Holder trade, 88th overall in the third round of the 2018 draft, is another in the seemingly long line of defensive prospects. a right-handed blueliner, Keane took a major step forward last season. He has continued that rise and might get a cup of coffee later this season.
Wall, drafted in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2016 draft, is a senior remains unsigned. If he does ink a deal, add him to the list of Alexandar Georgiev, Igor Shesterkin and Adam Huska in the team's goalie pipeline. If he isn't signed, New York could trade his rights elsewhere to avoid losing Wall, who would be a FA, for nothing.