After a week off, New York returns to the ice in an Original Six match-up against Toronto tonight, The Maple Leafs come in off a 5-0 whitewash over the Islanders on Wednesday. For the Rangers to win, a quick start coupled with a strong forecheck to try and wear down the Maple Leafs throughout the contest would seem to be the recipe for a win. That and a lot better defense in all three zones.
Cody McLeod, claimed off waivers last week, will - in no surprise to us - make his Rangers' debut tonight. Sitting for McLeod will be Paul Carey, who really did little to earn a seat in the press box. But like Vinni Lettieri down at Hartford, someone had to make room for McLeod and those two drew the short-straw. Having Jimmy Vesey on the fourth line with David Desharnais and Carey, seems to be a waste. I understand why Jesper Fast is on the third line and the trio of Fast with Michael Grabner and Peter Holland were pretty good in the 6-5 win in San Jose, but Vesey is wasted on the fourth line. The same can be said about Desharnais, because he is not a true fourth liner, and if McLeod is there for his "physical presence," then also play Boo Nieves and Carey there and have a bottom group that can really grind.
Rick Nash-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello Michael Grabner-Peter Holland-Jesper Fast Jimmy Vesey-David Desharnais-Cody McLeod
Steven Kampfer sits again, as the defense will also be the same as it was against the Sharks. The mistakes we saw on the West Coast trip need to get cleaned up, though those same ills have occurred most of the season, so thats an ambitious goal. These six blueliners may be what we see for a while. It's possible John Gilmour or Neal Pionk get a look-see, but that probably will only occur due to an injury. Between the pipes will be Henrik Lundqvist, who gave way to Ondrej Pavelec versus San Jose. Look for Hank to be in net most nights and with a pair of back-to-backs in the next 13 games, it will be interesting to see if coach Alain Vigneault uses Pavelec in any of those four contests.
Ryan McDonagh-Nick Holden Brady Skjei-Marc Staal Brendan Smith-Tony DeAngelo
Posting this again and will do so every blog until the trade deadline, or at least until a deal in either direction is made. “Thirteen games remain to the February 26 trade deadline. Toronto, @Nashville, @Dallas, Boston, Calgary, @Winnipeg, @Minnesota, @Islanders, @Ottawa, Philadelphia, @Montreal, Minnesota and Detroit. Far from an easy task, based on the teams to be faced. It may not take the full 13 games for a decision on direction to be determined. If for example, New York went 3-10 or 10-3, that direction would be clearer. Knowing the Rangers, they will go something akin to 7-5-1, further making the waters murky.…
Wednesday, was the first time we received injury updates on Chris Kreider and Kevin Shattenkirk. Kreider, who underwent a rib resection on January 9 after a blood clot was found in his right arm following the December 27 game against Washington, will miss his 14th game since being sidelined tonight, but has begun some light skating. In CK20 case, it’s a start to conditioning, but again, there is no timeframe for his return. Shattenkirk, out since January 18 with a meniscus tear in his left knee that just underwent surgery, will miss his fifth straight game. He started upper-body conditioning but is still on crutches, and like Kreider, has no specific timeframe for returning but the hope is that maybe he is back in five weeks or so.
The sprint to the trade deadline begins tonight. If the players want to keep this group together, then it’s up to them to show that should be the path followed.tye next 26 days will have several twists and turns, settle in for the ride.