Igor Shesterkin starts for Rangers against Sabres with Filip Chytil a go for tonight

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igor shesterkin
Feb 20, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) celebrates with Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) after their game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers vs. Sabres: The Blueshirts look to bounce back from their Sunday loss to the Bruins. New York has won three of their last five contests and get a lift with Filip Chytil returning to the lineup.

Rangers vs Sabres: Igor Shesterkin to start

Igor Shesterkin was saddled with the loss on Sunday when he gave up a late first period goal in relief of Alexandar Georgiev. The Rangers starter had to leave due to concussion protocols but returned to start the second period and finish the game.

rangers vs sabres
Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Shesterkin made 23 saves and picked up a win in on Jan. 28, 2021 at Buffalo. It’s was his only career game against the Sabres.

Filip Chytil back to center the third line

The Rangers get back a key center in Filip Chytil. He will play on a third line with Kevin Rooney. David Quinn will play Rooney on the wing and let him take face-offs until Chytil’s hand is at 100%.

It was also noted Kaapo Kakko is coming off the COVID list and will go through return to play protocols. He’s not expected tonight.

INJURIES (49 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

  • Filip Chytil (upper-body; 4-6 weeks from time of injury on Jan. 24) – has missed 14 games
  • Jacob Trouba (upper-body; 4-6 weeks from time of injury on Feb. 16) – has missed five games
  • Kaapo Kakko (COVID protocol) – has missed four games
  • Anthony Bitetto (lower-body) – has missed two games

Pre Game Notes

  • All-Time vs Sabres: 78-79-25-5 (43-31-15-3 at home; 35-48-10-2 on the road)
  • Colin Blackwell – 3 GP, 0-2-2 – Blackwell has notched an assist/point in each of his two games against the Sabres in 2020-21, and he recorded an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime on Jan. 28, 2021 at Buffalo.
  • Brendan Lemieux – 5 GP, 0-2-2 – Lemieux has recorded an assist/point in two of the last four games against Buffalo.
  • Alexis Lafrenière – 2 GP, 1-0-1 – Lafrenière registered his first career NHL goal/point, which was the game-winning goal in overtime, on Jan. 28, 2021 at Buffalo.
  • K’Andre Miller – 2 GP, 1-0-1 – Miller tallied his first career NHL goal on Jan. 26, 2021 at Buffalo.
  • The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 10 of their last 12 games (41-for-44; 93.2%), including four of the last five games (19-for-21; 90.5%).
  • New York ranks seventh in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (85.3%).

Notes courtesy of the NYR

The NHL Trade Deadline is coming, get ready

Over at The Daily Goal Horn I dropped 31 targets.

31 NHL Trade Deadline Targets
By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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