The Rangers play ostensibly their biggest game of the season tonight against the Huricanes. I am not one who is prone to hyperbole, as you know, but given the situation and how the results tonight and tomorrow may drive the path forward, there is no doubt that this is a big game. That may be he wrong way of looking at the contest and yes, decision should have already largely been made, but the team's play in the past five weeks may have a resulted in a shift in mindset.
Game Preview:
#NYR Preview - Feb. 21 at Carolina pic.twitter.com/kKDZpgeZbr
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 21, 2020
Play since January 7:
#NYR rankings in the NHL since Jan. 7:
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 20, 2020
T-3rd in wins (12), T-2nd in regulation wins (11), T-4th in points (24) and point% (.667), T-4th in goals per game (3.39), T-5th in goals against per game (2.56), 1st in PP% (34.0), and 8th in PK% (83.7).
The Rangers as of the turn of the new year looked to be sellers. But, as seen above, since January 7, the team has been red-hot, possibly forcing a change in mindset. We have spoken a lot about short-term vs. long-term thought process. Long-term should be the focus but hard not to have a change in direction, seeing how the squad has played and coalesced coupled with the rise in the standings. New York is still six points behind Carolina, who they face tonight, and seven behind Columbus with three games in hand. The Blueshirts are also six points in back of the Islanders, who have the same number of games, and four shy of Florida with a pair of games in hand.
New York can still look long-term while not giving short shrift to the here and now. Granted, that would likely mean signing Chris Kreider to a multi-year deal, as discussions continue between the parties. Jesper Fast would be movable in the right deal, especially if the plan is not to bring him back. All the chatter on Tony DeAngelo needs to remember that he can move from the right to left side, which is why Brady Skjei might be expendable and moved. I still think Alexandar Georgiev is here to at the least the end of the season and may be beyond.
Tonight is the "biggest game of the season" because a win might result in the team not selling. At a minimum, it extends the window of decision and consideration until Saturday, when the contest with San Jose has a similar impact. I don't think the team will be a buyer even if the win the next two games. New York added what they view as a third-line player in Julien Gauthier, who faces his old team tonight, helping to lengthen the lineup and partially remediating a weak bottom-six by moving Phil Di Giuseppe to the fourth line.
A key tonight is who is between the pipes. Henrik Lundqvist has owned the Hurricanes. He is 2-0 against Carolina this season with a .944 SV%. (And 33-12-1 with a .934 SV% for his career.) But he has played just three games since January 2 and been surpassed by Igor Shesterkin and Georgiev. Shesterkin was solid in his return to the lineup Wednesday in Chicago after missing three games with an ankle injury. Coach David Quinn used Georgiev in back-to-back games last week when New York played three straight games on the road. As Shesterkin is in net tonight, if they win, does Quinn play him Saturday or go with Lundqvist at home, since that could be his last game at MSG if an unlikely trade occurs? With no Lundqvist tonight, we have an even better sense of his standing on the current roster, game plan for this season and maybe what will happen with Hank after the year ends.
Same lineup as Wednesday, per Coach Quinn.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 21, 2020
Shesterkin in net tonight vs. CAR. pic.twitter.com/vZCEZGR2tJ
Mustang Harry Event, Zib signing 2/23:
ATTN: #NYRangers fans! We’re kicking off 2020 right with a kick-a$$ lineup of @nyrangersevents player meet & greets starting w/ Tony DeAngelo & Brendan Lemieux on 1/8. Tix start at $59 (GREAT holiday gift, hint hint! ) and include a signed puck / photo. https://t.co/Sl0cRzYyJI pic.twitter.com/baxtLG2C97
— Mustang Harry's (@mustangharrysny) December 6, 2019
On Sunday, Mika Zibanejad is doing a signing event at Mustang Harry, see details below. You wonder what the mood will be like if the Rangers either win or lose the games tonight and Saturday. I am hopefully to be there Sunday.
For more info or to purchase tickets, visit nyrfans.com/signings/ or email celebritytrips@yahoo.com
Tiered ticket packages range from $59-$199 based on player(s) and include:
Package 1: Player Meet & Greet and signed puck and case or 8x10 photo ($59-$119) Package 2: Player Meet & Greet and signed professional large 16x20 player action shot photo or official NY Rangers mini helmet ($99) Package 3 (VIP Package): Player Meet & Greet with front of line privileges, upstairs private seating, signed 16x20 player action shot photo* ($99 - $199; limited to first 80 fans)