The Rangers close out 2018 in the Arch City facing the Blues. Off a 4-3 win in Nashville, the team's first regulation road win, New York tries to end the year on a short winning streak. Following today's contest, the Blueshirts take on their division rivals, Pittsburgh, at MSG.
Happy New Year's to all. Thanks for all those who read and commented this year. 2019 should be interested.
The lineup changes rumored yesterday (see below) appear to be accurate (see second tweet below).
Sunday:
Quinn says Shattenkirk is in tomorrow, didn’t disclose who’s out. Also looking like Chytil will be a scratch. And Lundqvist in nets. #NYR
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) December 30, 2018
Monday:
From #NYR extra-player morning skate: Chytil, Smith, Claesson, Georgiev on ice. Which means Shattenkirk-DeAngelo will be 3rd pair tonight, Lundqvist starts in goal, Nieves expected on 3rd line w/Howden-Buchnevich. This is Chytil’s first game missed this season.
— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) December 31, 2018
I understand the consternation and hand-wringing for sitting Filip Chytil. But as John Giannone and Dave Maloney both said on the Bleeding Blueshirts podcast, sometimes sitting for a game and watching from the press box aides in a player development. While nothing beats learning from doing, watching from above, seeing where plays could have been made might provide a different perspective and enhance/accelerate the learning curve. Personally, I would have sat Brett Howden, who has struggled lately, and that might be the next one to watch from the press box, but don't have a major issue with Chytil getting a game,
This means the lines will likely be: Kreider-Zibanejad-Fast Namestnikov-Hayes-Zuccarello Nieves-Howden-Buchnevich Vesey-Strome-McLeod
Kevin Shattenkirk returns after missing three weeks with a shoulder injury, replacing Brendan Smith. In addition, Fredrik Claesson remains out of the lineup while Tony DeAngelo plays a second straight game, this time paired with Shattenkirk, The remaining four defenseman remain the same:
Skjei-McQuaid Staal-Pionk Shattenkirk-DeAngelo
World Juniors:
Vitali Kravtsov continued his fine play Sunday with a goal and an assist. Playing center has enabled Kravtsov to show his play-making skills, evidenced by the assist to Denisenko on his goal. What I also liked is that Kravtsov went to the front of the net, finding open space in the dirty area to tally his marker. .
Output at WJC on Sunday:
#NYR Prospect Vitali Kravtsov with a goal and an assist in Russia's #WorldJuniors win. See them both here â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/EkHAtAupwr
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 31, 2018
Another look at his goal Sunday:
Another look at that goal from Vitali Kravtsov. Good job of getting to those dirty areas pic.twitter.com/mzC4hufOEb
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) December 31, 2018
Performance to date:
Through the first three games of the tournament, Kravtsov is tied for the team lead in goals (two) and points (four), leads Russia in shots on goal (11), and ranks second among team forwards in average ice time (18:35). #NYR https://t.co/zOdb4vaJ8Q
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) December 31, 2018
Interview:
"I dream of playing at Madison Square Garden" - Vitali Kravtsov@IgorEronko catches up with the #NYR Prospect to reflect on the draft, playing center, #WorldJuniors and more ⬇ï¸
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2018
Tonight, three Rangers are in action as the preliminary round ends. Nils Lundkvist and Sweden vs KAZ at 6:30pm, Kravtsov and Russia vs Canada at 8pm and K'Andre Miller (see more on him below) and USA vs Finland at 10:30pm. Barring unforeseen circumstances, all three players and their respective teams should advance to the next round, which begins Wednesday.
Three #NYR prospects play their final game of the preliminary round today:
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 31, 2018
Lundkvist and Sweden vs KAZ at 6:30pm
Kravtsov and Russia vs Canada at 8pm on @NHLNetwork
Miller and USA vs Finland at 10:30pm on NHLN
More Rangers #WorldJuniors updates ⬇ï¸
"I get to put on the USA jersey every day for this tournament, it's pretty special. While I'm here I'm trying to show what I can do."#NYR prospect K'Andre Miller talks about the #WorldJuniors, going up against other Rangers draft picks and what he's trying to show. pic.twitter.com/M2CkBOeX0Z
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 31, 2018