The Rangers look for two in a row tonight against the Capitals, who they face again Saturday. Fresh off a 9-0 win, the Blueshirts look to get over .500 on the season. As seen below, no lineup changes, meaning Alexandar Georgiev is in net again with Igor Shesterkin, who has been practicing, possible for the second end of the back-to-back.
#NYR pregame updates:
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 19, 2021
-No lineup changes tonight vs. WSH
-Georgiev in net
-Shesterkin skated this morning and remains day to day
-Kinkaid will back up
As announced yesterday, David Quinn and his coaching staff are out for both games due to COVID protocol. Kris Knoblauch, Gord Murphy and Chris Drury will be behind the bench again. In case anyone was wondering who is making the calls, Knoblauch said today, "all the general coaching decisions for the game are being done by DQ, not by Knoblauch and Gord Murphy." But I guess a win means Knoblauch is the reason and loss is because of Quinn, if I have this right.
I am not a Quinn apologist, but also don't think he is at fault for all. Rick Carpinello shares this same view, as he wrote today in his column in the Athletic. To me here are the key quotes, believe or not is up to you. But you know my opinion.
"Quinn was hired to teach and develop, and he has certainly done that – with a hands-on, person-to-person approach with each player, the likes of which we haven’t seen here in decades."You can’t at the same time argue that he had little to do with Fox’s, Lindgren’s and Miller’s success but that Kakko’s and Lafrenière’s struggles are his fault.
Quinn was hired to teach and develop — not necessarily to win. If the wheels come completely off, maybe he’s in danger after the season. And when the rebuild turns the corner, he may not be the guy. We have no way of knowing that now. But to think he’s going anywhere before the dust settles on this season, with the progress the organization has made, is ridiculous.
Rangers midseason review: What’s worked? What hasn’t? Assessing Mika Zibanejad, David Quinn, the goalies, more #NYR @TheAthletic @TheAthleticNYC https://t.co/b3w9giZHmJ pic.twitter.com/nJo7SQNFjV
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) March 19, 2021