The Rangers will face the Capitals today at Noon after falling in a tough one 2-1 to the Flyers yesterday. Late yesterday Rick Carpiniello reported that David Quinn had passed all NHL COVID protocols and is likely to coach in Washington today.
Rangers: 15-14-4 (34 pts)
Capitals: 22-7-4 (48 pts)
(12:00 p.m. ET – TV: NBC, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM)
Rangers vs Capitals: Who will start? Will Vitali Kravtsov debut? Questions abound.
The Rangers have not announced a starter for today’s contest against the Capitals. It’s possible Keith Kinkaid could get the nod with Igor Shesterkin having faced over 80 shots in his last two contests going 1-1 and only allowing five goals.
As for the lineup, one player was removed from it by trade late yesterday. Brendan Lemieux was moved to the L.A. Kings for their 4th round pick in the upcoming draft. When I asked about the move, it was noted that the team has a log jam and needed to make room for Phil Di Giuseppe and Brett Howden. There is of course, the fact they have to carry three goalies since Keith Kinkaid would certainly be claimed on waivers at this point also.
Then there is Vitali Kravtsov who could make his debut today with Quinn behind the bench. It’s more likely that Kravtsov could get his first action at home on Tuesday. The head coach is expected to address the media this morning.
Finally, Brendan Lemieux was also going to be exposed to the Seattle Expansion draft so it made sense to not lose him for nothing. Forever Blueshirts also learned last night that the Rangers expect to call up Morgan Barron at some point this season. He would slot perfectly into where Lemieux was on the 4th line.
Pre Game Notes
- All-Time vs Capitals: 102-98-18-11 (56-44-9-5 at home; 46-54-9-6 on the road)
- The Blueshirts have won five of the last six games against the Capitals (5-1-0 record). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in seven of the last nine games against Washington (5-2-2 record).
- The Rangers have won three of the last four games (3-1-0 record) and four of the last six games (4-2-0 record). The Blueshirts have earned a point in six of the last eight games (5-2-1 record) and have outscored their opponents, 35-16, in the eight contests. The Rangers have also outscored their opponents, 27-11, in the last six games.
- Mika Zibanejad enters the contest with a four-game point streak (five goals, five assists), and he has recorded 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) and a plus-10 rating over the last six games, as well as 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in the last eight games.
- Adam Fox tied the Rangers’ single-game franchise record with five assists, and tied single-game franchise records for defensemen with five assists and five points, on Mar. 25 at Philadelphia. He has registered 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) over his last 16 games (since Feb. 24 at Philadelphia).
Notes courtesy New York Rangers
NHL Trade Tracker
Trades are starting to come in with Eric Staal and Brendan Lemieux on the go. Check out the latest here.
