Rangers vs. Canadiens: Lineups, storylines, trying to end 3-game skid
If the New York Rangers are to put an end to their three-game skid (0-2-1), they must find a way to halt the winnings ways of the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at Bell Centre.
The Canadiens (4-1-0) have won four in a row, including consecutive overtime victories at home this week against the Seattle Kraken (5-4 on Tuesday) and Nashville Predators (3-2 on Thursday). There’s a certain swagger to this upstart team, which beat out the Rangers for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference last season.
That was Montreal’s first trip to the NHL postseason since losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021. It was also the first time in four years that the Rangers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
To paraphrase a well-worn cliche, are the Rangers and Canadiens two teams passing in the night? Or are these Original 6 foes on the cusp of restarting their rivalry, with each team a legit playoff contender?
Right now, though, the Rangers (2-3-1) are less focused on the big picture than they are about fixing the present. They’ve scored just 11 goals in six games, one in their past 186 minutes, 46 seconds of game time.
After consecutive shutout losses at home, the Rangers earned a standings point Thursday when they lost 2-1 in overtime to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Juuso Parssinen scored New York’s only goal, on a deflection in the third period.
The Rangers are 31st in the NHL, averaging 1.83 goals per game. At the other end of the spectrum, they’re first in the League, allowing 1.50 goals per game, Of the nine goals they’ve given up, three were scored into an empty net. Thursday marked the first time in five starts that goalie Igor Shesterkin allowed more than one goal.
Last season, the Rangers were 2-0-1 against the Canadiens, including a 7-2 road win on Oct. 24, 2024 and a 5-4 overtime loss at Bell Centre on Jan. 25. The Rangers have points in seven straight games against the Canadiens (5-0-2) since 2023-24.
3 storylines when Rangers visit Canadiens
1. Jonathan Quick expected to start
In a busy stretch of eight games in the first 14 days of the season, the Rangers appear set to start Jonathan Quick in goal Saturday. Shesterkin’s been brilliant with 8.1 goals saved above expected, per Money Puck, and allowing just five goals in five starts. But coach Mike Sullivan is keeping an eye on the bigger picture too. So Quick gets the call.
The 39-year-old was excellent in his one start this season, a 1-0 loss to the Washington Capitals last Sunday at Madison Square Garden. He stopped 20 of 21 shots, and simply was outdueled by Washington netminder Charlie Lindgren.
In 15 career games against the Canadiens, Quick is 9-4-2with a 2.51 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts. He was 1-0-1 against them last season, allowing eight goals in two starts.
2. Conor Sheary remains calming veteran presence ahead of 600th NHL game
Conor Sheary plays his 600th NHL game Saturday, perhaps a milestone he didn’t think he’d reach after spending most of last season in the minors. The 33-year-old appeared in only five NHL games in 2024-25 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but earned his way on to the Rangers roster this fall after attending training camp on a PTO.
Sheary has one assist in six games, but his relentless energy and ability to step up into a top-six role with Vincent Trocheck sidelined by an upper-body injury stands out. As does his calming presence as a two-time Stanley Cup champion and respected veteran, especially with the Rangers managing emotions amidst their scoring woes.
“It’s not like someone came in here and stole our talent,” Sheary explained. “It’s just a matter of it going in. I find goals come in bunches. Once you get one, seeing it go in the net, it just helps motivate the guys’ confidence individually. And that’s contagious around a team.”
3. Short-handed Habs
The Canadiens are without three lineup regulars on Saturday, which could be a serious speed bump to their fast start this season. Most significantly, defenseman Kaiden Guhle is out 4-6 weeks after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Predators. Rugged defenseman Arber Xhekaj draws back in to replace Guhle.
In addition, forwards Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach are day to day with lower-body injuries and each is out against the Rangers. Joe Veleno makes his Canadiens debut, taking Dach’s spot as third-line center. Veleno was a healthy scratch the first four games. The Canadiens recalled Owen Beck from Laval of the American Hockey League to replace Laine at right wing on the third line.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Will Cuylle
Alexis Lafreniere — J.T. Miller — Conor Sheary
Juuso Parssinen — Noah Laba– Taylor Raddysh
Adam Edstrom — Sam Carrick — Matt Rempe
Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox
Matthew Robertson — Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen — Braden Schneider
Jonathan Quick
Igor Shesterkin
Rangers vs. Canadiens: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens
When: Saturday Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Bell Centre
How to watch: MSG
More About: New York Rangers News