Rangers vs. Blackhawks: Lineups, storylines trying to avoid letdown
Here’s what can’t happen for the New York Rangers, when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Wednesday. The Rangers absolutely cannot afford a letdown against a struggling, yet dangerous opponent, after successfully skating through a gauntlet of the League’s best teams last week.
The Rangers (15-12-4) snagged six of eight points, including at least one in all four games played a week ago. They rallied late to tie the Dallas Stars, and then defeated them in overtime. After a solid 4-2 road win in Ottawa over the Senators, the Rangers picked up points in back-to-back overtime losses at Madison Square Garden against the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights.
That’s an impressive job against four playoff-caliber teams, including three legit Stanley Cup contenders.
“I think the team is trending in the right direction. I think the way we’ve been playing for each other, to our identity, that’s been good,” veteran forward Mika Zibanejad said Tuesday following practice.
At the heart of that identity is a solid structure and commitment, working in five-man groups on both sides of the puck and over the entire 200-foot sheet of ice. It’s particularly evident in the defensive zone, where the Rangers allowed more than three goals just three times in the past 21 games.
New York is sixth in the NHL, allowing 2.61 goals against per game. On the road, where the Rangers lead the League with 12 wins (12-4-1), their goals against is even better, 2.29 per game, third best in the NHL.
“I think we’re building towards an identity here where we want to be a team that’s tough to get offense against. And when we do give up some offense, we have two elite goalies that are tough to beat. That’s kind of out M.O. right now,” center Sam Carrick explained. “I think there’s still a pretty good feeling around the room here that we can build something special here.”
To continue those good vibes, the Rangers can’t afford to let up against a lesser opponent Wednesday. Nor can they even consider the Blackhawks (12-11-6) in that light.
Though true that the Blackhawks haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past five seasons, and lost eight of 10 games (2-6-2) entering this one, it feels like a trap game for the Rangers. It’s up to them to make sure that won’t be the case.
“Just don’t change anything, no matter who we’re playing. It’s an unforgiving league,” Carrick said. “Chicago’s got a lot of good, young talent. Those teams these days, they’re hard to play against, they can score a lot of goals. So, we’ve got to be on our game.”
The Blackhawks have plenty to prove back at home Wednesday, following a brutal weekend in SoCal. They were blown out 6-0 by the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and annihilated by the Anaheim Ducks 7-1 on Sunday.
Last season, the Rangers and Blackhawks split the season series. With Louis Domingue in goal, the Rangers defeated the Blackhawks 6-2 at United Center on Jan. 5. New York’s won five straight on the road in Chicago.
3 storylines when Rangers visit Blackhawks
Kick ’em when they’re down
If the Rangers hunt offense — not cheat for it by giving up their defensive principles — they should be able to fill the net against the Blackhawks. And an early goal or two could go a long way to bury a young Chicago team, who’s confidence is a bit shaky right now, and just 1-7-3 when surrendering the first goal this season.
The Ducks out-shot the Blackhawks 53-20 and skated circles around them Sunday. Though the Rangers play a different style than the Ducks, their skill set is such that a breakout offensively is certainly possible. Watch Artemi Panarin, who’s not only among the hottest scorers in the NHL right now, but has 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 13 games all-time against his former team. And Jonny Brodzinski is a sneaky pick to find the back of the net — he scored in consecutive games against the Blackhawks and has three goals in his past four games at United Center.
Over their past nine games, the Blackhawks allowed four goals or more six times, including nine against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 21. That said, Chicago’s No. 1 goalie, Spencer Knight, owns a solid .914 save percentage, and is in the midst of a solid season (9-6-5, 2.62 GAA).
Connor Bedard growing up, breaking out
Connor Bedard is the center of attention for the Blackhawks, and the one player the Rangers must contain. In a breakout season, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft is tied for fifth in the League with 18 goals, and is sixth with 40 points, in 29 games. The 20-year-old has 11 multi-point games, and totaled four points three times. He also recorded a pair of Hat Tricks, the first of his three-season career.
The League’s Third Star of the Month in November, Bedard is meeting exceedingly high expectations this season. He scored 23 goals and had 67 points last season, but is on pace for his first 100-point campaign in 2025-26.
In three career games against the Rangers, Bedard has two assists and seeks his first goal.
Unleash the ‘beast mode’
Even though the Rangers are on the road and don’t have the final change, expect to see a lot of J.T. Miller out there against Bedard on Wednesday. Miller’s done an outstanding job defensively agianst some of the best players in the League this season. And his veteran linemates Vincent Trocheck and Conor Sheary, are as responsible as he is on that side of the puck.
Part of what makes the Rangers captain so successful defensively is his work deep in the offensive zone, making top players on the other team defend him. The best defense is a good offense, right?
“I think J.T.’s past few games are among his best that he’s had all year long,” coach Mike Sullivan shared on Tuesday. “There were a few instances where you watch him from the bench and the feeling I get is that he’s in beast mode. When he’s possessing the puck in the offensive zone, using his size and physical stature to protect pucks, roll off checks to make the next play, he’s hard to handle.”
In the past month, 12 games since Nov. 12, Miller has 10 points (four goals, six assists), along with his terrific work defensively.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere
J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Conor Sheary
Will Cuylle — Noah Laba — Brett Berard
Taylor Raddysh — Sam Carrick — Jonny Brodzinski
Vladislav Gavrikov — Braden Schneider
Carson Soucy — Will Borgen
Matthew Robertson — Scott Morrow
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Rangers vs. Blackhawks: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
When: Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: United Center
How to watch: TNT/truTV/HBO Max
