The Rangers continue their pre-Four Nations Faceoff push tonight as MSG. New York looks for revenge against Boston, who defeated the Blueshirts 6-3 last Saturday. Following tonight's contest. New York meets Pittsburgh at home Friday and Columbus on the road Saturday. After the matchup against the Blue Jackets, the league goes dark for two weeks while the tourney is played.

Rangers lines vs: Bruins

Panarin-Miller-Zibanejad
Smith-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Kreider-Brodzinski-Cuylle
Vesey-Carrick-Rempe

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

Scratches: Edström (lower-body injury), Kaliyev, Jones

We found out yesterday that Adam Edström will miss 10-14 weeks with a lower-body injury. Watching the game in which he was hurt, the play did not look that bad and it's almost impossible to determine what the injury is. His absence will be a big loss, as he brought speed and size to the fourth line, making that a game changer, especially when paired with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe. Now, Jimmy Vesey gets his chance to show he belongs in the lineup.

Arthur Kaliyev looks like he will be a healthy scratch - again. I wonder if Vesey does not make a difference if Kaliyev is placed on the third line with Will Cuylle moved down a line. Not advocating this change, but Cuylle has fourth line experience and his power, as seen by his planting of Alex Pietrangelo, would be a fit on that trio.

The top-six is unlikely to change right now. Get used to Mika Zibanejad on the right wing of the top line, which is being viewed as a way to unlock his game while taking pressure off him and JT Miller as the 1C. If this remains the case, New York is expected to pursue a 3C, as Jonny Brodzinski is viewed as a placeholder. The Rangers need to determine what they want on the third line. Is it a checking line that can score a little, a scoring line or a combination of the two. That decision will help drive who might be pursued at the deadline.

New York was pushed around at times Saturday. I expect a little more push back and aggressiveness from the Blueshirts today. In addition, the Rangers need to be a lot better in their own zone to limit the slot chances, which continue to be a major issue.

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