Rangers vs. Wild: Lineups, storylines seeking 4th straight win
It’s been 17 months since the New York Rangers last won four games in a row. So, recent history says they’re up against trying to extend their current winning streak to four games when the Rangers visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at Grand Casino Arena.
The Rangers (27-30-8) most recently won four straight early last season, from Oct. 14-18, as part of a season-opening 5-0-1 run. Needless to say, things went off the rails shortly thereafter — really after New York’s 12-4-1 start in 2024-25. The Rangers collapsed and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, then barely got off the ground this season before being buried halfway through.
Though they’re going to miss the playoffs again, at least things are beginning to look up for the Rangers. They are 5-1-2 since the Olympic break and won three in a row for the fourth time this season, by knocking off the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets in a four-night span this week.
“I’m happy for them. We’ve strung a few wins together. It’s nice they can feel good about what’s going on around here,” coach Mike Sullivan said Thursday.
Their 6-3 win over the Jets on Thursday gave the Rangers a seven-game streak of scoring at least three goals — they’ve scored four or more in five of their past six. They’re also winning on the road — not a surprise since the Rangers have 18 road victories, tied for third in the Eastern Conference, and at Madison Square Garden — where they had historic struggles earlier this season.
“It’s much better. When you’re winning games and getting points in games, it’s a lot better feeling than when you’re on a skid,” defenseman Braden Schneider said after defeating the Jets. “So, it’s awesome to get some wins here and it definitely creates a much better vibe here in the room.
But Minnesota is a step up in competition. The Wild (38-16-12) are third in the hotly-contested Central Division, and tied for third overall in the NHL standings with 88 points. They have a plus-34 goal differential and own the fourth-lowest team goals-against average (2.77).
The Wild also have two 30-goal scorers — Kirill Kaprizov (38) and Matt Boldy (37) — plus stud defenseman Quinn Hughes. Adding some intrigue is that the Wild had interest in acquiring Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline,but failed to a complete a deal when they deemed New York general manager Chris Drury’s ask to be too high.
3 storylines when Rangers visit Wild
1. J.T.’s birthday present
J.T. Miller celebrates his 33rd birthday with an expected return to the lineup Saturday. Miller missed the previous five games with an upper-body injury; he’s played just 51 of 65 games this season due to a string of injuries.
Mike Sullivan said Miller is a game-time decision, but added “Barring any unforeseeable things, I would anticipate him playing.”
Not only is Miller back on the second line with Trocheck and Will Cuylle, but he’s reclaiming his spot on the top power-play unit, displacing red-hot rookie Gabe Perreault, who slots back on to PP2.
Is that an issue at all for the coach or the 20-year-old forward?
“No. Because I don’t think he would look at it as a demotion,” Sullivan answered. “Gabe is playing extremely well right now, so we’ll continue to work with him to try to continue to help him grow and develop his game, and we’ll put him in situations where we think it sets him up for success.”
2. Kids are all right
Speaking of Perreault, who has three consecutive multi-point games coming into this one and nine points (four goals, five assists) in his past nine games, he tops a group of Rangers youngsters who are playing some impressive hockey.
The final five of New York’s six goals in Winnipeg were scored by players age 25 and under: Lafreniere (24), Tye Kartye (24), Perreault (20), Adam Edstrom (25), and Noah Laba (22). Schneider (24) had two assists and Matthew Robertson (25) had one.
“It’s great. These guys are playing with energy, they’re playing with enthusiasm. You know, they’re enthusiastic learners, also. They’re engaged. And when they can have success, obviously, it breeds another level of confidence,” Sullivan explained. “I think there are a number of young guys that are embracing the opportunity that they’ve been given here, and they’re helping us win games here.”
3. Braden Schneider among Rangers ‘being rewarded’ recently for strong play
Almost precisely one year ago — 366 days to be exact — the Rangers skated to an exciting 3-2 overtime win against the Wild in their most recent visit to the former Xcel Energy Center. The game-winner was an absolute beauty scored by Schneider, fueling hopes that the offensive side of his game was closer to popping.
Well, it hasn’t exactly popped. Despite averaging a career-high 20:25 TOI in 65 games this season, and after offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum, Schneider still has only two goals and 15 points. However, he’s got four assists in his past five games and settled in nicely alongside Will Borgen on the second defense pair once Adam Fox returned to the lineup after a 13-game injury absence following the Olympic break.
Like the majority of his teammates, Schneider is enjoying more success now than what transpired most of the season.
“We have to keep competing, keep building something we feel good about,” Schneider explained. “Since the break. I think we’ve done a really good job at sticking together, playing hard, playing simple, and playing for each other. And I think we’re being rewarded for it.”
New York Rangers projected lineup
Alexis Lafreniere — Mika Zibanejad — Gabe Perreault
J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Will Cuylle
Tye Kartye — Noah Laba — Conor Sheary
Adam Edstrom — Juuso Parssinen — Taylor Raddysh
Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox
Will Borgen — Braden Schneider
Matthew Robertson — Urho Vaakanainen
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Rangers vs. Wild: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Minnesota Wild
When: Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Xcel Energy Center
How to watch: MSG
