Official: New York Rangers make some changes as Brendan Smith in for Jack Johnson and Brendan Lemieux sits

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jan 24, 2021

The New York Rangers will go with Igor Shesterkin again in net as expected. However, David Quinn is making a few more changes as Brendan Smith will be taking Jack Johnson’s spot in the lineup.

Also the Rangers will be giving Colin Blackwell his first look of the season as Brendan Lemieux will sit. Per David Quinn, Lemieux is healthy. This is more about looking to give Blackwell some playing time, than anything to do with Lemieux’s play of late.

Shesterkin starts in net tonight, per #NYR Coach Quinn. Blackwell and Smith are in, Lemieux and Johnson come out. pic.twitter.com/plV6Stadeq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 24, 2021

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Igor Shesterkin has been “sneaky good”

rangers lineup — Shesterkin at practice (NHLI/NYR)

Steve Valiquette and his company Clear Sight Analytics are changing the way we look at the game. While Shesterkin may be 0-1-1 on the season, he ranks in the top 10 in Save% Differential.

If Shesterkin can get hot for a couple of games we’re going to be talking about how great his start to the season has been. #SneakyGood

Courtesy of ⁦@csahockey⁩ pic.twitter.com/v8XcLRNl0H
— Stephen Valiquette (@VallysView) January 24, 2021

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By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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