All signs point to the return of Igor Shesterkin in net against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. Of course that raises some other questions to the availability of Tony DeAngelo who has missed two games with an upper body issue.
The Czar Returns
Shesterkin manned a net alone at the optional skate while Hank and Georgiev split the other. According to Colin Stephenson of Newsday he was the first goalie off which is usually a good indicator of who starts.
Other Lineup Decisions
Julien Gauthier took to the skate and sounded pretty raring to go when he spoke to the media.
Now if he starts, who sits? With the trade deadline just 3 games away it will certainly send a flag up.
Pregame Notes
- All-Time: 242-249-98-2 (123-117-55-0 at home; 119-132-43-2 on the road)
- Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Blackhawks and the only meeting between the two teams at Chicago. Following tomorrow’s game, the Rangers and Blackhawks will face each other on the following date: Apr. 4 (at MSG).
- Artemi Panarin began his NHL career with Chicago and played two seasons with the Blackhawks (2015-16 and 2016-17). He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2015-16 and was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team at Left Wing in 2016-17.
- Panarin and Kane both won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year (Kane – 2007-08; Panarin – 2015-16). Panarin and Duncan Keith were both named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2016-17.
Notes provided by the NYR
