The Rangers and Islanders meet at MetLife Stadium today in the second time the two teams have played one another outdoors. The first, at Yankee Stadium in 2014, was a victory for the Blueshirts. The hope is another win, extending their winning streak to seven games,
Projected lines: Kreider-Zibanejad-Vesey Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko Rempe-Edstrom-Goodrow
Lindgren-Fox Miller-Trouba Gustafsson-Schneider
Quick Shesterkin
Scratches: Belzile, Jones LTIR: Chytil, Wheeler
Peter Laviolette:
WE GOT NEXT. pic.twitter.com/rwkp7cSsmK
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 18, 2024
This beautiful game of ours. pic.twitter.com/ajDNjcT2Fr
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 17, 2024
Put in the work.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 18, 2024
Took in the scene.
Now it’s time to play.#LGR pic.twitter.com/AcFumjjFA7
Family over everything. pic.twitter.com/L0xa2hvJdS
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 17, 2024
With Blake Wheeler sidelined for the rest of the season, Jimmy Vesey gets the first chance to skate on the top line. To me, despite how well Vesey has played this season, this is a short-term solution. Maybe Vesey grabs a hold of the opportunity and excels, but GM Chris Drury should continue to explore the trade market. Vesey playing well would allow Drury time to make a move without feeling the need to overpay.
Vesey moving up creates a hole on the fourth line. All signs point to Matt Rempe, called up Friday, sliding into that spot and making his Rangers debut. Rempe has played well in Hartford and deserves the opportunity. Alex Belzile is also available as an option, but Rempe should get the initial chance to see if he and Adam Edstrom can have chemistry with Barclay Goodrow.
Stadium Series history: The Rangers and Islanders teams met at Yankee Stadium on January 29, 2014, with the Blueshirts prevailing 2-1. The Rangers defeated the Devils three days earlier, 7-3, at the same venue and on the same ice surface. The Blueshirts edged the Flyers 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park on January 2, 2012, and prevailed 3-2 in overtime against the Sabres on January 1, 2018 at Citi Field. The Rangers are 4-0 in Outdoor Games, one for the thumb today.
Congrats to Jaromir Jagr, who is having his number retired by the Penguins today:
It's a great day for hockey and @68Jagr!
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 18, 2024
Here's everything you need to know: https://t.co/sBxTtTzs6L pic.twitter.com/npSYurQ7iI
Jagr 'so honored' to have No. 68 retired by Penguins https://t.co/FAqhA29RCd
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 18, 2024