Rangers make changes in advance of battle with Flames
The New York Rangers were not pleased with their last game against the Chicago Blackhawks, but were still able to pull out a 4-3 OT victory. That allowed them to extend their winning streak to four straight games and maintain their hold on first place in the Metro Division.
On Monday night, they will host a sizzling Calgary Flames team that has a four-game winning streak of their own on the line.
“They’re red hot,” coach Peter Laviolette pointed out. “They’re finding ways to defend. I think I saw a 1.5 goals against average winning their last four games. So it will be a great test for us.”
If the Blueshirts can get the two points, it will be the first time they’ve won five straight since the very early going of the 2023-24 season. From Oct. 21st to Nov. 2nd, the team posted a season-high six consecutive victories.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (33-16-3) vs Calgary Flames (25-22-5)
Date/Time: February 12, 2024 @ 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: MSG2
Radio: ESPN 1050 AM
Note: Subject to change, updated for each game
Related: Rangers call up Edstrom and Rempe
New York Rangers projected lineup
Here’s the expected lineup versus Calgary:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Wheeler
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Brodzinski – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Edstrom
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Note: The Rangers will hold an optional morning skate at 10:30 AM ET at the Madison Square Garden. Peter Laviolette will address the media afterwards. Check back for updates.
New York Rangers vs Calgary Flames
The Metro Division playoff teams are starting to come into clearer focus with the Rangers holding first place in the Metro with 69 points. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes (65 points) are 4 points behind with a game in hand, and the Philadelphia Flyers continue to surprise in third pace with 62 points.
New York has come alive since defeating the Ottawa Senators 7-2 to close out a poor January. So far in the month of February, they’re undefeated with three straight wins. Over their last seven matches, they’re 5-1-1 and playing much better defense.
One issue that the Rangers are attempting to address is a stale power play that is now 0-14 in its last six games. At practice on Sunday, Laviolette revamped both units for a more balanced attack.
PP 1: Adam Fox, Blake Wheeler, Chris Kreider, Jonny Brodzinski and Mika Zibanejad
PP 2:Alexis Lafreniere, Artemi Panarin, Erik Gustafsson, Kaapo Kakko and Vincent Trocheck
“Obviously, [the power play] is not at the level it was at the beginning of the year,” Laviolette noted. “It gets you the opportunity to let a group catch a little fire and push each other.”
Another move is the likely insertion of some youth, size, and speed with Adam Edstrom called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Fourth-line winger Tyler Pitlick was skating as an extra defenseman at practice, indicating Edstrom is set to play his second game with the Blueshirts. He scored in his in his NHL debut helping to beat the Ducks on Dec. 15th.
This season, the Blueshirts are 17-7-0 on home ice and have won their last two at the Garden.
Upcoming Rangers Milestones
- Jonathan Quick is 2 wins away from tying Dominik Hasek (389) for 15th all-time
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