Rangers and Jets clash in battle of division leaders
The New York Rangers continued their excellent season with a pair of wins over division rivals this past weekend. In defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 and New York Islanders 5-2, they are now 5-1-0 in their past six games. They’ll look to keep that going on Tuesday when they host the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets.
The Blueshirts lost defenseman Ryan Lindgren for a few weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained Sunday against the Isles. New York is now down two key defensemen with Jacob Trouba still sidelined for at least one-two weeks with a lower-body injury of his own.
“It sucks. Especially a warrior like that, who’s played through so many injuries, to see him stay down like that, it’s usually where he stays down for a second and pops right back up,” center Jonny Brodzinski said postgame Sunday. “It’s tough to see him go down.”
In response to Lindgren’s injury, the Rangers recalled defenseman Brandon Scanlin from the Hartford Wolf Pack. He will likely serve as the extra defenseman and allow Chad Ruhwedel to make his Broadway debut after being acquired before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 8.
On the bright side, hulking forward Matt Rempe is expected back in the lineup after serving his four-game ban for elbowing Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the head last Monday.
Here’s today’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (45-19-4) vs Winnipeg Jets (43-19-6)
Date/Time: March 19, 2024 @ 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: MSG
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Note: Subject to change, updated for each game
Related: College free agents the Rangers should target
New York Rangers projected lineup
Here’s the expected lineup:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Roslovic
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Wennberg – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Rempe
Gustafsson – Fox
Miller – Schneider
Jones – Ruhwedel
Shesterkin
Quick
Update: The New York Rangers will hold a 10:30 a.m. ET morning skate at the MSG Training Center. Head coach Peter Laviolette will address the media afterwards Check back for updates.
New York Rangers vs Winnipeg Jets
The Rangers lead the Metropolitan Division by four point (94 points) over the second-place Carolina Hurricanes (90 points), who will face the Islanders on Tuesday. New York is also just one point behind the Boston Bruins (95 points) for the Presidents’ Trophy. Boston hosts the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
“Our team is deep right now. We’re getting contributions up and down the lineup,” Vincent Trocheck said. “Even when lines aren’t scoring, they’re contributing in other ways, getting momentum, keeping the puck in the other zone. If we can continue to do that, I like our chances against anybody.”
Across the way is a very good Jets squad holding first place in the Central thanks to the points percentage tie-breaker. Winnipeg and the Colorado Avalanche also have 91 points, but the Jets have played one less game.
The matchup is expected to be a tight-checking and physical affair. Winnipeg is 13-5-0 in their past 18 games, but have won two straight, albeit against the lowly Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets.
This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs. New York defeated Winnipeg 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 30. Mika Zibanejad won it in the extra-session and Igor Shesterkin stopped 27 of 29 shots.
Upcoming Rangers Milestones
- Chris Kreider is 2 goals aways from 300 in his career
- Jonathan Quick is 1 win away from tying Ryan Miller (391) for most wins by an American-born goalie and 15th all-time
- Alexander Wennberg is 1 game away from 700 in his career
- Peter Laviolette is 2 games away from 1500 coached in his career
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