The Rangers meet the Blackhawks for the second time in four days. Friday, Antti Raanta, in his second straight start, shut out Chicago 1-0. That shutout begat his start Sunday, with that shutout resulting in Raanta manning the net again tonight.
Raanta, who 8-1-0 with a 1.65 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage and those aforementioned two shutouts, is starting tonight because "he deserves it." Strip out all the consternation over sitting Henrik Lundqvist again or how AV isn't consistent on rewarding strong performers or taking to task poor ones, and Raanta does deserve to start. Yes, he is Lundqvist's back up, and when Hank is back between the pipes and regains his form, all of this will be water under the bridge. But for now, its cause celebre number 1 in Rangers land and on Rangers twitter.
Lundqvist, as one would expect, said all the right things after finding out that he will be sit as a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game for the first time since becoming the starter.
"He's playing really well. The team is winning and that - going into the season - is our focus, that's why we're here, to try and help the team win. He's doing a really good job of helping the team right now.I'm a very competitive person and I want to play, but I understand we're all in here to do what's best for the team," he added. "The last couple of days have I been thinking about my game? Yeah, of course, but I've also try to just work hard and take it day by day here."
If Raanta plays well, then it's possible he starts again Thursday against Dallas. But I would be very surprised, regardless of the results tonight, unless Raanta stands on his head and gets another shutout, if Lundqvist isn't back between the pipes against the Stars.
Raanta's task will be a bit harder, as Jonathan Towns and Brent Seabrook will both be in the Chicago lineup. For New York, it's the same lineup as the last few games. The good news is that Rick Nash, out with a groin injury, is close to returning. If he isn't back for Dallas, look for him to play sometime this weekend.