The Rangers look to extend their winning streak to six games tonight as they take on the Canadians at Madison Square Garden. Following tonight‘s contest, New York will play the Islanders at MetLife Stadium in the Stadium Series game Sunday. The Islanders last played Tuesday, so they will be well rested and had the opportunity to skate at Met Life today.
Rangers lines vs. Montreal:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Wheeler Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko Vesey-Edstrom-Goodrow
Lindgren-Fox Miller-Trouba Gustafsson-Schneider
Quick Shesterkin
Scratches: Belzile, Jones LTIR: Chytil
New York’s starting lineup is the same as the win over Calgary. The one change is that Jonathan Quick will be between the pipes. To me, this is not a major surprise. Coach Peter Laviolette wants to prevent Quick from getting stagnant and rusty. With Igor coming off a strong game and the outdoor contest against the Islanders looming Sunday, this is the perfect chance to give Shesterkin a rest and roll with Quick.
The Rangers shuffled the bench deck. Tyler Pitlick passed through waivers and was sent down. Called in his place was Alex Belzile, who was having a fine season at Hartford. Adam Edstrom will get a long look see to see if he can fill the fourth center role. If he falters, Belzile could slot into that line with Barclay Goodrow moving from wing to center.
Eklund noted that the Rangers are hot in discussions for Trevor Zegras. Rumored to be heading to Anaheim, if a deal was to be consummated, are “Kaapo Kakko, a top prospect, and a conditional first...which I am assuming would be ties to the Rangers ability to extend Zegras.… Philly is also in the mix.
A few things: first, where is Zegras playing? Are you moving Trocheck to the third line center because Zegras is not a prototypical 3C due to his lack of his physicality. Second, what about Zegras’ issues defensively, how are you masking that? Same with his perceived showboat attitude problem? How will he fit in coach Peter Laviolette’s system? Given what we have seen to date, especially this year, are you willing to sign Zegras to a long term deal?
What level of prospect are you surrendering? Anaheim may want a top prospect but Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault are off limits? Is Kakko, a prospect and a first rounder fair from the Nee York side to get Zegras or has his luster dimmed in your eyes? If Kakko is dealt, who plays right wing on the third line, Othmann?
All these questions are coming from a Zegras fan. But enough doubt of how he fits has been raised in my eyes to question whether a deal makes sense. What’s your view?