The Rangers continue their road trip with the first of three in Western Canada. Off a 4-1 win over Seattle, Nee York faces Calgary tonight. After tonight’s game, the Blueshirts remain in Alberta to take on the Oilers on Thursday.

Lines at practice today:
Kreider - Zib - Kakko
Panarin - Chytil - Laf
Cuylle - Trocheck - Wheeler
Goodrow - Bonino - Vesey

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Gustafsson - Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

As seen above, Nick Bonino, who was under the weather yesterday, was back on the ice today. If Bonino plays as expected, that means the lines will be the same as Saturday. As such, Tyler Pitlick will be a healthy scratch.

Between the pipes, Igor Shesterkin was the first goalie off the ice. To me, there was a small chance Jonathan Quick, off his solid outing Saturday, might be in net. But coach Peter Laviolette is going with Igor, which makes sense.

The power play combinations have the kids with Gustafsson at the point on the second unit rather than K’Andre Miller. A smidge surprised at the change given how talented Miller is offensively. But Laviolette has experience with Gus from Washington and Will Cuylle can be another net front presence. The first unit remains static.

PP1- Fox, Panarin, Trocheck, Zibanejad and Kreider
PP2- Gustafsson, Chytil, Cuylle, Kakko and Lafrenière

From Vince Mercogliano and the caveat of small sample size exists, but a nice number for once.

“The #NYR have won 55.7% of their faceoffs through 5 games, 2nd best in the NHL. A big jump from 49.1% last season.”

Lavi gave asst coach Michael Peca some credit there, saying, "There were reasons why we picked certain people (for the staff)... There's been some early success."

We spoke this off-season about the hope that adding Michael Peca would help between the dots and in the team mentality given the type of player he was. So far, so good between the dots and I do believe he will make a difference as well in the psyche of the squad. It’s only five games, so not jumping for joy just yet. But the make up of the coaching staff is a positive that should pay dividends as the season wears on and especially in the playoffs.

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