The Rangers play the Kings tonight in the third game of the team's five-game road trip. Coach Gerard Gallant is in COVID protocol, so New York flew Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch cross country to coach the team. Knoblauch went 4-2 when replacing David Quinn when Quinn was sidelined due to similar reasons and clearly is a favorite of the organization. The good news is that Artemi Panain is back with the team and expected to be in the lineup tonight.
The Rangers will play their 22nd road game of the season tonight, tying Calgary for the most in the NHL. #NYR has played 21 of its 36 games (58.3%) this season on the road, tied for the most road games through 36 games in franchise history (1998-99).
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) January 11, 2022
After Saturday's contest, the Rangers will have played 24 of 39 games away from MSG. New York will then play six of their next eight games at home prior to what was supposed to be the Olympics break. Most of the games postponed due to COVID likely will be made up during that three-week window.
Even with Panarin back, the fourth line, composed of players from the Hartford Wolf Pack, are expected to remain intact again, as they were Saturday. Tim Gettinger, Morgan Barron and Jonny Brodzinski were used for stretches as the #1 line with Hartford, playing heavy minutes while being counted on to produce offense. Thei numbers reflect that status. Gettinger posted 16 points (eight goals and eight assists) in 21 games, Barron had 12 (eight goals and four assists) in 20. while Brodzinski led Hartford with 24 points (10 goals and 14 assists) through 23 games played.
The fourth line was solid against Anaheim, combining for six hits and a pair of takeaways without allowing any goals. They now are coached by someone who knows their games very well, which should allow the unit to be deployed optimally. Barron, who we have been clamoring to be promoted and stick in New York, won seven of his eight faceoff attempts and placed three shots on goal against Anaheim.
My presumption was that Greg McKegg would be the odd man out. Alexis Lafrenière slides back to the second line with Barclay Goodrow remaining on the second trio. All signs point to Patrik Nemeth, who missed time due to personal reasons, getting back in the lineup tonight, replacing Niks Lundkvist. Tyler Wall was promoted to the taxi squad today, giving the Ranger another netminder. My only concern is that could this mean Igor Shesterkin, out due to COVID, will not be ready Thursday?
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Kaapo Kakko Artemi Panarin-Ryan Strome-Barclay Goodrow Alexis Lafrenière-Kevin Rooney-Filip Chytil Tim Gettinger-Morgan Barron-Jonny Brodzinski Update, 10pm: Barclay Goodrow was placed in COVID protocol with Anthony Greco recalled from the taxi squad. I would expect Laf to move up to right wing on the second line, which looks to be the case. McKegg is back in the lineup, sliding onto the third line with the fourth line staying intact. Though all of this line could be juggled as the game continues. I wonder if Connor McDavid infected everyone when they played last Monday and he wasn't scratched?
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox K'Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba Jarred Tinordi-Patrik Nemeth
Alexandar Georgiev Keith Kinkaid
Healthy scratches: Libor Hà¡jek (D) and Nils Lundkvist (D)
COVID-19 protocol: Julien Gauthier (F), Ryan Reaves (F) Goodrow (F) and Shesterkin (G)