New York Rangers announce Igor Shesterkin to start; same lineup as win against Capitals
Rangers vs Islanders: Igor Shesterkin will get a chance to keep his winning streak going as he’s just been named the starter. It will also be a chance for him to avenge the opening night loss as well.
(7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)
Rangers: 4-4-2 (10 pts)
Islanders: 4-4-2 (10 pts)
Rangers vs Islanders: Igor Shesterkin to start
Igor Shesterkin has been great for the Rangers in their past two wins. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a great track record against the Islanders. Igor was in net for the game one drubbing this season and it’s the only time he’s faced them.
It will also be a rematch in net as Semyon Varlamov has been named the starter.
David Quinn on tonight’s matchup
David Quinn provided a few updates on injuries today. Of note, Brendan Smith is close to returning and Colin Blackwell is skating.
Pre-Game Notes
- All-Time vs Islanders: 131-117-19-9 (74-48-11-6 at home; 57-69-8-3 on the road)
- The Rangers are playing the Islanders in the third of eight games between the two teams. The Blueshirts have posted a 1-1-0 record and won the last meeting between the two teams, 5-0, on Jan. 16 at MSG. Pavel Buchnevich leads all skaters with three points (two goals, one assist) in the season series, and he and Artemi Panarin are tied for first among all skaters with two goals.
- Ryan Strome played parts of four seasons with the Islanders (2013-14 – 2016-17) and was selected by the Islanders in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. His next goal will be his 100th in the NHL.
- Artemi Panarin – 17 GP, 10-15-25 – Panarin tied a single-game career-high with five points (two goals, three assists) on Jan. 13, 2020 against the Islanders at MSG, and he registered two goals in his last game against the Islanders on Jan. 16, 2021 at MSG. Panarin has also registered more points against the Islanders than against any other team in his NHL career.
- New York ranks fifth in the NHL in power play opportunities per game in 2020-21 (4.10).
- The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in each of the last three games (14-for-14) and have killed off 17 of their opponents’ 18 power play opportunities over the last four games (94.4%).
Pre-Game Notes courtesy NYR
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