Jacob Trouba and Brendan Lemieux enter now hostile territory in Winnipeg

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 11, 2020

The Rangers ride into Winnipeg with a new number one goalie in Igor Shesterkin. While that is a huge story in and of itself, Jacob Trouba and Brendan Lemieux enter hostile territory when they face off against their former team, the Jets.

Trouble for Trouba

Jacob Trouba played in Winnipeg for 6 years but much of it with the fans knowledge that he wanted out. The former 9th pick overall in 2012 ranks 2nd all time in games played, goals, assists, and points. None of that will matter tonight as he is going to be met with a chorus of boos everytime he touches the puck.

The Rangers top blue-liner downplayed the emotional aspect of returning as he’s focused on getting the two points. He admitted having good memories but now he’s adjusting to being a Ranger.

“It’s a big stretch of games here for us. We need to come away with some points here on this road trip. We’re down to the nitty gritty.”

Trouba on returning to Winnipeg the importance of this trip: pic.twitter.com/JkeC2GimrL
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 10, 2020

Lovable Lemieux

Brendan Lemieux was in Winnipeg on and off for two seasons when he was traded to NY at the deadline last year. “I love being a Ranger, I was over the moon when they traded me here,” is what he told the gaggle of reporters yesterday. Now he gets to put the Rangers Blue in the face of every Jet and it wouldn’t surprise me if Winnipeg fans are booing him over Trouba at the end of the night.

Obviously I am being a little sarcastic with the sub headline “lovable Lemieux”, but knowing his game it will help take some focus off Trouba. You can be sure Lemieux will have an extra hop in his step to let Winnipeg know it was a mistake to trade him.

“We’re in a position where we need to win some hockey games, so the approach is kind of the same. It’s just a familiar building for me.” – Brendan Lemieux pic.twitter.com/m45pFT78t6
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 10, 2020

Pre-Game Notes

All-Time*: 30-22-1-11 (12-13-1-7 at home; 18-9-0-4 on the road) *Note: All-Time Record includes games against the Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-00 – 2010-11
2019-20: Tonight’s game is the second of two meetings between the Rangers and Jets, and the only meeting between the two teams at Winnipeg. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road), following their 6-4 win on Oct. 3 at MSG.
New York has earned at least one point in five of its last seven games against Winnipeg, dating back to Nov. 6, 2016 (4-2-1 record).

Notes courtesy of the NYR

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

Mentioned in this article:Brendan Lemieux Igor Shesterkin Jacob Trouba

More About:New York Rangers Features New York Rangers Games