Rangers seek course correction on the road against Kings

NHL: New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, the New York Rangers got off to a bad start to this four-game trip with a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Defensive lapses were once again front and center. However, there’s now an onus on the team’s penchant for giving up goals in bunches, as they allowed two in Vegas within 30 seconds of one another.

“We just couldn’t get anything to drop for us,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think the possession was heavily in our favor. I don’t the chances matched that, but there was still a lot of good looks in there.”

New York had won its previous two games before falling to the Knights, and are hoping to get back on track when they face the Los Angeles Kings before taking on the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow.

Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:

New York Rangers (28-14-2) vs Los Angeles Kings (21-13-8)
Date/Time: January 20, 2024 @ 10:30 PM ET
Arena: Crypto.com Arena
TV: MSGSN
Radio: ESPN 1050 AM

Note: Subject to change, updated for each game

New York Rangers projected lineup

NHL: Preseason-New York Rangers at Boston Bruins
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the expected line combinations and pairings with Jonathan Quick expected to start versus his former team:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Kakko
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Brodzinski – Wheeler
Goodrow – Bonino – Vesey

Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Schneider

Quick
Shesterkin

Note: The Rangers will hold a morning skate at 2:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena. Check back in for updates.

New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings

The Rangers road record is solid this season standing at 13-6-1. Against Pacific Division opponents they are 8-3-0 which includes an exciting 4-1 win over the Kings back on December 10th.

Jonathan Quick was the winner in net for that contest, marking the first time he had ever played against his former team.

“Obviously it’s special,” Quick said afterwards. “The way we played defensively was tremendous. You could see their effort and attention to detail. The team’s performance was phenomenal.”

Now, Quick look to repeat the feat, this time in front of the home crowd that cheered him for over a decade and watched him carry the franchise to two Stanley Cups victories (2012, 2014).

“He should be remembered this weekend for (being) the best goalie in our organization and celebrated that way,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said.

NHL.com

Milestones within reach

  • Vincent Trocheck is one assist away from 300 career assists
  • Nick Bonino is one assist away from 200 career assists
  • Jonathan Quick is one start away from 755 career starts, which would tie Tom Barrasso for 3rd most among American-born goaltenders
  • Peter Laviolette is two wins away from tying Al Arbour for 7th most coaching wins in NHL history
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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