The Rangers return to actio tonight against the Capitals. In the first meeting between the two squads, which took place on December 9, Washington whitewashed New York 4-0. That loss was the first time the Blueshirts suffered back-to-back defeats this year. Coach Peter Laviolette looks to extract a modicum of revenge on his old team tonight at MSG. The Blueshirts head on the road to face the Panthers on Friday and Lightning on Saturday.
Since New York has been off since Saturday, my presumption is that the lines we saw Saturday should be the same we see today. Despite the recent struggles of Braden Schneider individually and his pairing with Erik Gustafsson, the likelihood is that duo remains together. If they have issues again in their own zone again tonight, we could see changes for one or both weekend games with Zac Jones replacing Schneider. But I would not rule out either Matthew Robertson or Mac Hollowell getting a game or two while Schneider watches from the press box.
Up front, with Kaapo Kakko starting to skate last week and Filip Chytil still just skating on his own, I am not expecting any changes. The combinations and 12 forwards should remain static, at least in the short-term. When/if either chytil or Kakko return, then modifications will happen. Igor Shesterkin should be between the pipes tonight and then his workload will depend on whether he or Jonatha Quick go Friday with the other dressing Saturday.
Probable Lines: Kreider – Zibanejad – Wheeler Panarin – Trocheck– Lafreniere Cuylle – Bonino – Brodzinski Vesey – Goodrow – Pitlick
Lindgren – Fox Miller – Trouba Gustafsson – Schneider
Shesterkin Quick
In the World Juniors, Slovakia, captained by Adam Sykora is 2-0 in the tourney. Sykora has yet to score in the two games but he is being deployed in every situation. He has seen time on the power play and penalty kill in addition to even strength. Sykora was on the ice late in the 3-0 win over Switzerland, protecting what was first a one-goal and then two-goal lead. receiving a plus-one in each situation as Slovakia scored two empty net tallies to salt away the win.
Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue suited up for Team USA in their 4-1 win over Norway. Perreault skated as expected on the third third line with US-NTDP and BC teammates, Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. Fortescue was not paired on the first duo with Ryan Chesley, as he was during the final exhibition game. Instead he was opposite offensive defensive Seamus Casey of the Devils on the second pair.
Pereault had a beautiful assist on Gavin Brindley's first of two goals, this one coming on the PP. In addition, he had a brutal turnover leading to Norways' shorthanded goal, their only tally of the game. Fortescue added an assist on Jimmy Snuggerud's tally to open the scoring for Team USA and finished a plus-one yesterday. The US faces Switzerland at 11am eastern time Thursday.
Nifty assist from #NYR draft pick Gabe Perreault. His first point of the tournament is on the power-play. @4EverBlueshirts| #NYR pic.twitter.com/6BxDtogKq9
— Steven Pappas (@StevenPappasTV) December 26, 2023