Rangers resume season with huge tilt against Avalanche
The New York Rangers are back from the All-Star break and looking to restart the season on a positive note. Good news is they finished January with a big 7-2 stomping of the Ottawa Senators and will look to carry that momentum when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.
“We won our last game, so we’re on a roll right now,” coach Peter Laviolette smiled. “This is one of those times where we were back at practice and there was a ton of energy… We do have to get off to a good start and try to build some success in the month of February.”
Meanwhile, captain Jacob Trouba remains out, serving the final contest of his two-game suspension for elbowing Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev. Young defender Zac Jones will remain in the lineup.
“Gustafsson and Jones were really good in Ottawa,” Laviolette said. “They were outstanding. I think [Jones] has done an unbelievable job of handling his role (as the seventh defenseman).”
Jones, 23, had a big game against the Senators with a goal and an assist. The third-round pick has five points in 16 games this season.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (30-16-3) vs Colorado Avalanche (32-14-3)
Date/Time: February 5, 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: Lindgren good to go versus Avs
New York Rangers projected lineup
Here are the expected line combinations and pairings based on Sunday’s practice with Jonathan Quick probable to start:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Wheeler
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Brodzinski – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Pitlick
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Schneider
Jones – Gustafsson
Quick
Shesterkin
Note: The Rangers will hold a morning skate at 10:30 AM ET at Madison Square Garden. Peter Laviolette will address the media afterwards. Check back for updates.
Update: Per multiple reports, Jonathan Quick was the first goalie off
New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche
New York’s 63 points leads the Metro Division, just two points up on the Carolina Hurricanes, who have a game in hand. That’s because the team has played under .500 hockey in its last 10 games (4-5-1). So when Laviolette stresses getting off to a good start in February, he’s not kidding.
The Blueshirts take on the Central Division leading Avalanche in what should be an exciting tilt coming out of the All-Star break. Last season, they fared well against the high-octane Avs, going 1-0-1.
“We’re looking forward to playing a really good team in Colorado,” Ryan Lindgren noted. “It will be a good test for us.”
This season, the Blueshirts are 15-7-0 at the Garden, but they’re coming off a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. This should give them the motivation they need to come out of the gate hard, fast, and structured versus a strong opponent.
Note: Tonight, the Rangers will celebrate Black History Night with a special national anthem, color guard and the Community Captain award.
Milestones within reach
- Peter Laviolette is one win away from passing Al Arbour for 7th most coaching wins in NHL history (783)
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