NY Rangers (43-18-4) vs TB Lightning (34-25-6)
14 Mar 2024 7:00 PM EST at Amalie Arena, Tampa FL
TV MSG, BSSUN
The NY Rangers, 1st in the Metro division, travel to the sunshine state for a tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Rangers are 7-2-1 in their last ten, having beaten the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night 1-0 at MSG. Tampa is 4-5-1 in what has been an off year. However, they just beat the Flyers and are still in position for a wild card playoff spot, helped greatly by the recent collapse of the Red Wings.
From a statistical view, the Lightning have the edge on the PP, 29.2% to NYR 25.1% but the NYR have the edge on the PK, 83.8% to 80.8%. Tampa’s PP is currently first in the NHL. The Rangers have a distinct edge in goal, giving up only 2.62 GA/GP vs TBL at 3.37.
No line-up changes from their prior game are expected for either team based upon the morning skate.
The key tonight: the Rangers need to stay out of the box and not let Kucherov beat them single handedly.
On this date in history: NYR Erik Gustafsson turns 32; former Rangers JT Miller turns 31 and Frank Vatrano 30. A popular birthdate!
Probable NYR lineup:
Forwards
Top line ⊳ Chris Kreider (LW) ⋄ Mika Zibanejad (C) ⋄ Jack Roslovic (RW)
Second line ⊳ Artemi Panarin (LW) ⋄ Vincent Trocheck (C) ⋄ Alexis Lafrenière (RW)
Third line ⊳ Will Cuylle (LW) ⋄ Alex Wennberg (C) ⋄ Kaapo Kakko (RW)
Fourth line ⊳ Jimmy Vesey (LW) ⋄ Barclay Goodrow (C) ⋄ Jonny Brodzinski (RW)
Defensemen
Top pair ⊳ Ryan Lindgren (L) ⋄ Adam Fox (R)
Second pair ⊳ K'Andre Miller (L) ⋄ Braden Schneider (R)
Third pair ⊳ Zac Jones (L) ⋄ Erik Gustafsson (R)
Goalies
Starter ⊳ Igor Shesterkin
Backup ⊳ Jonathan Quick
Healthy scratch: D Chad Ruhwedel
Cooler: F Matt Rempe 2/4 game suspension
Injured: D Jacob Trouba (lower body)
Long-term IR: F Filip Chytil (upper body) and F Blake Wheeler (lower body)
233 responses to “It’s Go Time!”
Somebody needed to smack down Duke, such a little bitch like everyone who plays for the squirrel.
is Jones still on track for Norris?
Is the Tuba missed in physical games?
How is Tower 2 not in the lineup instead of Johnny Too Bad?
3 games in 4 nights, on the road, had game in control until Meeka ate a puck
Does Norma Rae only canvass after Miller’s good games?
After a small sample of good wins I heard they’re trading Trouba and appointing Kandre captain as he’s been the key to all these games?
Up the Sidewinders!
Nice to be physical but actually catching up to Point to hit him ….is not as easy
They are really a tease. It’s actually less disconcerting if they just stink from the opening faceoff. If they play like he did in the first half of the game they can sweep a playoff series. If they play like they did in the second half of the game they will get swept. Miller in the team in microcosm. They have the skills to be an outstanding team but lack the will and temperament to fulfill their potential. They are better coached now but it doesn’t seem to have changed them that much. To quote the late Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were!”
back to the ledge!
*NEW POST*