The Rangers look to complete their first ever 5-0 road trip tonight in Winnipeg. It’s a homecoming for Blake Wheeler, who spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets and was the team’s captain until last season. Following tonight’s contest, the Blueshirts return home for a contest Thursday against Carolina, which kicks off a stretch of four of five games at MSG, including four in a row.
Lines: Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko Panarin-Chytil-Lafrenière Cuylle-Trocheck-Wheeler Goodrow-Bonino-Vesey
Miller-Trouba Lindgren-Fox Gustafsson-Schneider
Shesterkin Quick
Wheeler should get a nice welcome from the Jets faithful. While his tenure didn’t end well, as his contract was bought out, he established a standard in Winnipeg for others to follow. Coach Peter Laviolette should start Wheeler tonight and inserted him on PP2 in place of Will Cuylle. It’s not clear if that is a one-time charge just for tonight or a move going forward as well.
A nice look at what Wheeler brought to Winnipeg and his thoughts on being back here. Would love to see him get a goal tonight, which would be his first as a Ranger. He struggled the first 5-6 games, but has been better the last few, though not at the level hoped for when he signed.
Blake Wheeler's strengths were legendary, his weaknesses boiled over, and he was underrated for ages despite elite results — like a true Winnipegger.
— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) October 30, 2023
Here is my deep dive on Wheeler's legacy in Winnipeg: what he's meant to #NHLJets on and off the ice:https://t.co/NqNzXSiB1C
Blake Wheeler on returning to Winnipeg: "Looking forward to getting back out there."
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 30, 2023
More: https://t.co/RQjDlV7jxZ
Lavi: https://t.co/VZW9PF9I7D pic.twitter.com/FD0iJFRZkk
New York didn’t play a great game Saturday, relying on special teams for the win. If the goal is to be consistent and better night in and night out, building success upon success beyond just the wins, then we hopefully will see a stronger effort 5x5 tonight. It will be an emotional night at the Canada Life Center on both sides. Find a way to get a win and go home with a clean road trip is the goal.