The Rangers kick off six games in nine nights Friday against the Blues. As we head down the stretch, the main focus has been on the scoreboard, to see what the other teams in the ping-pong mix are doing and how that impacts the Blueshirts. With St. Louis facing the Rangers tonight and Devils tomorrow, the Blues could play a huge role in the standings, since New York and New Jersey meet Monday. Tonight, we should see the return of Chris Kreider, who has been sidelined with back spasms and neck issues since March 19 against the Detroit. His re-insertion in the lineup will result in some changes. I have my proposed lines below.
Possible lines (with Kreider returning, Jesper Fast done for the season and Marc Staal questionable): Lemieux-Zibanejad-Buchnevich Kreider-Chytil-Lettieri Vesey-Andersson-Strome Namestnikov -Howden-Smith
I propose leaving the top line alone, though I could see CK20 back with Mika Zibanejad on that trio. But Lemiuex has played well enough to remain there, especially since in evaluation mode. Kreider then slots onto the second line with Vinni Lettieri remaining there, largely due to New York seeing what they have in him. Leave the third line intact, though Jimmy Vesey may be at risk to sit due to his struggles, which might mean Vladislav Namestnikov skates on that line. On the fourth line, I propose dropping Namestnikov down to that trio, scratching Boo Nieves, though maybe Nam rides the pine or ends up on the third line, as I noted previously. Brendan Smith has done more than enough to stay on the fourth line.
Claesson-DeAngelo Skjei-Shattenkirk Gilmour-Pionk
This is based on Staal sitting again. If he plays, Frederik Claesson might be the odd-man out. The Rangers are looking at what they have in John Gilmour, so sitting him makes little sense. We might see Staal-Neal Poink again, and who wouldn’t want more of that. If this occurs, then look for Gilmour to be paired with Tony DeAngelo if Claesson sits.
(Update: 1PM - Staal in, Gilmour and Claesson slated to be out, Smith back on defense. That means Nieves stays in lineup. One forward banged up, if he is out, Brickley in)
Hear from Coach Quinn on tonight’s matchup vs. St. Louis, plus his thoughts on Strome’s impact with #NYR, Brendan Smith’s Masterton nomination and more. â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/xImGHMfn7e
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 29, 2019
Brooks on which Rangers' stocks have risen, fallen the most this season. I am surprised no Tony DeAngelo in the risers column and could have added Neal Pionk in Fallers.
https://nypost.com/2019/03/28/the-rangers-whose-stocks-have-risen-fallen-the-most-this-season/?utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&sr_share=twitter
Brett Cyrgalis interview with Kevin Hayes: https://nypost.com/2019/03/28/jets-kevin-hayes-credits-rangers-for-helping-make-him-a-pro/?utm_campaign=iosapp&utm_source=twitter_app
I wrote the below paragraph earlier. As I said, I will note the results of each of the final 10 games here and if New York’s place in the standings has changed. The paragraph also reflects the current standings.
March 19 - Detroit 3 New York 2. Still sixth. Tied with Anaheim, one game in hand. Edmonton lost, so no change March 20 - Sabres lost (Buffalo has two more points than New York), Ducks lost (team has same number of points as Rangers but New York has two games in hand) March 21 - Oilers won, so they are four points north of NY with the Rangers having a game in hand March 22 - Anaheim wins, putting the Rangers for the time-being in fifth place in the lottery March 23 - New York 2 Toronto 1, OT. Devils win, Oilers lose, Sabres lose March 24 - No games impacted the bottom of the standings March 25 - Pitt 5 NYR 2, Devils beat Sabres 3-1 March 26 - Sabres lost, Ducks beat Canucks, Oilers won March 27 - Boston 6 New York 3 March 28 – Detroit 5-4 in overtime over Buffalo, so the Sabres earn a point, Oilers lose 3-2 in shootout, but gain a point. Vancouver 3-2 over LA in a shootout. Chicago 5-4 over San Jose.
If the Rangers continue to fade, as they have since the trade deadline, they could stay in fifth, as they are now, but the number of games remaining makes that somewhat questionable due to having games in hand on several battling the Blueshirts for ping-pong ball placement. Chicago has seven more points than New York with the Rangers having a game in hand. Edmonton has six more points than New York while playing one more game. In addition, Vancouver is five points north of the Rangers, with New York holding two games in hand, while Anaheim has three points more than New York with the same numbers of games played as Vancouver. The Sabres have played one more game and earned one more point that the Rangers, sitting in sixth with New York now in fifth. Detroit has 68 points, three fewer than New York, and 77 games played, one more than the Rangers. New Jersey, who has the third pick as of now, has played one more game and has four fewer points than New York, but the two teams meet Monday at the Rock. New York faces Detroit, Toronto (both games over), Pittsburgh, Boston, St. Louis, Philly, New Jersey, Ottawa, Columbus and Pittsburgh down the stretch.
After having three days off between games, the Rangers played Monday and Wednesday now finish the season with six games in the next nine days, including five in the seven to close the season, consisting of two sets of back-to-backs. They close the season on a back-to-back (home against Columbus April 5 and in Pittsburgh on April 6).