Artemi Panarin, Jimmy Vesey game-time decisions for Rangers vs. Devils
NEWARK, N.J. — Artemi Panarin and Jimmy Vesey will take part in pregame warmups for the New York Rangers on Thursday and are considered game-time decisions against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.
UPDATE: Panarin and Vesey are both in the lineup for the Rangers against the Devils
“There’s game-time decision to make,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said two hours before puck drop. “Everybody’s here and we’ve got game-time decisions.”
Brennan Othmann, who was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League, earlier in the day, will also take part in pregame warmups, as will extra forward Alex Belzile.
“Just want to make sure we have the right amount of players to go,” Laviolette explained. “I don’t have those answers yet because there was no [morning] skate.”
Panarin and Vesey each are considered day to day with lower-body injuries. Neither practiced Wednesday, though each forward played the entire game Tuesday, when the Rangers defeated the Dallas Stars 3-1 at Madison Square Garden.
Rangers recall Brennan Othmann with Artemi Panarin, Jimmy Vesey game-time decisions against Devils
Panarin had an assist and played nearly 20 minutes against the Stars. He’s tied for fifth in the NHL with 75 points (32 goals, 43 assists) and hasn’t missed a game this season.
Vesey has 12 goals and 18 points in 54 games, missing two, so far. He’s played the past two games at right wing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider following the season-ending lower-body injury sustained by Blake Wheeler last week.
Othmann is scoreless in three games this season with the Rangers. The 21 year-old is second on Hartford and fourth among AHL rookies with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 44 AHL games.
Laviolette did say that Igor Shesterkin will make his third straight for the Rangers. Shesterkin made 41 saves in the win against the Stars and has won each of his past four starts for the Blueshirts, who carry a season-high eight-game winning streak into the game against the Devils.
This is the second of four meetings this season between the rivals. The Rangers defeated the Devils 5-3 on Nov. 18 in New Jersey.
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