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Rangers face Flyers with chance to clinch playoff berth |
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The Rangers face the Flyers tonight with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. In addition, with the divisional lead down to one point over the Hurricanes, though they have a game in hand, two points will ensure New York stays in first place. Philly comes in third in the Metro with the Caps two points behind but with a pair of games in hand.
Rangers lineup vs. Flyers:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Roslovic
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko
Vesey-Goodrow-Rempe
Jones-Fox
Miller-Schneider
Scanlin-Ruhwedel
Shesterkin
Quick
Scratches: Trouba (lower-body injury), Lindgren (lower-body injury), Wennberg (personal), Gustafsson (upper body)
LTIR: Chytil, Wheeler
Coach Peter Laviolette had already confirmed Will Cuylle will be back in the lineup tonight. Who he goes in for had yet to be announced as of the afternoon. My original speculation was it would be Kaapo Kakko as Laviolette is rotating who from the bottom six sits. Matt Rempe already sat as did Cuylle and Jonny Brodzinski. Jimmy Vesey will get a game off as does Kakko,
We found out late that Alex Wennberg will miss the game due to personal reasons. Wennberg’s wife was expecting, so this is likely why he is out and congrats to Wennberg family. Look for Jonny Brodzinski to center the third line of Cuylle and Kakko with Barclay Goodrow between Matt Rempe and Jimmy Vesey
On defense, Erik Gustafsson is the latest defensemen to go down after taking an elbow to the head from Sam Reinhart during Saturday's 4-3 shootout win. We all suspect a possible concussion, though for now, the Rangers - like every other team on the NHL does - have labeled it an upper-body injury. No timetable have been given for his return.
In terms of the other injured d-men, Ryan Lindgren, who has missed eight games with a left leg injury, skated Monday with a non-contact practice jersey and today at the optional skate. Amazingly, he could be close to returning, though New York should be smart and keep him out a bit longer to make sure he is fully good to go and refreshed for the stretch run. Jacob Trouba, who's missed nine games and counting with a lower-body injury, skated Tuesday at the optional skate after having skated on his own for the past week or so. He has missed three weeks and should be close to returning.
With three of the top-six blueliners sidelined, it’s next man up again for New York. Zac Jones has excelled while in the lineup. Chad Ruhwedel stepped in nicely Saturday. Today, Brandon Scanlin, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent who was signed out of University of Omaha-Nebraska in 2022, will make his NHL debut against the Flyers.
As Vince Mercogliano noted, the Hamilton, Ontario native has posted 16 points (eight goals and eight assists) with a plus-three rating through 57 AHL games played this season and will now get rewarded for his efforts. He has reportedly been Hartford’s best d-man and recently signed a two year extension. Scanlin will be paired with Ruhwedel while Fox skated with Jones.
In terms of the standings in the division and in the East, it’s as close as can be. The Rangers have gone 17-4-1 since the all-star break to claw their way to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but Boston, Carolina and Florida are each one point back and nipping at their heels. Carolina has shown no signs of slowing since the deadline, which was expected. All four are scheduled to play Tuesday (the Bruins and Panthers will go head-to-head), creating the possibility for any to end the day as the top overall seed or drop as low as No. 4. Winning the East and the President’s Trophy would be great. Going into the playoffs healthy to me is more important.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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