Andrew Copp and the Rangers take on the Jets at MSG tonight. Copp, who spent his career prior to the trade deadline in Winnipeg, went out to dinner with several of his former teammates last night. I am sure it will be a bit disconcerting to skate across from players he wore the same jersey as for several seasons, but Copp has fit in seamlessly and he will be looking to make a mark in the game.

Kappo Kakko, who suffered a lower-body injury Saturday, will miss tonight’s contest. He is listed as week to week, but coach Gerard Gallant is hopeful that Kakko will be back by the playoffs and possibly for the last few games of the regular season. No word has been provided as to what the exact injury is, which makes needing to take Gallant’s word with a grain of salt.

In Kakko’s absence, Alexis Lafreniere who tallied twice Saturday and moved up a line when Kakko was injured, will skate on the third line. Ryan Reaves slots back in with Julien Gauthier, Jonny Brodzinski and Greg McKegg remaining as healthy scratches. New York now has Kakko and Tyler Motte, each of whom will be in the playoff lineup, out with injuries. When Kakko returns, Gallant will have to decide if Goodrow or Kakko skates on the third line, a determination that may be opponent dependent.

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Carolina, without Jordan Staal and Frederik Andersen, defeated Arizona 5-3 last night moving them two points up on New York, who have a game in hand. Following tonight’s contest, the two teams will each have five games remaining. Washington defeated Colorado 3-2 and now sit one point behind Pittsburgh, who have been playing without the suspended Evgeni Malkin and just lost Tristan Jarry to injury, for third in the Metro but with a game in hand. Based on how the Capitals and Penguins have played recently, signs point to Pittsburgh sliding to fourth in the Metro and possibly the second Wild Card spot with Washington rising to third in the division. While the eight Eastern Conference teams in the playoffs are locked in, match ups may not be determined until the final game of the regular season.

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