RANGERS LOOK TO SALVAGE FLORIDA TRIP AGAINST PANTHERS
New York Rangers (30-32-6) vs Florida Panthers (33-25-7)
TONIGHT 7:00 PM, MSG, FSFL, WEPN
BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL
The Rangers and Panthers meet for the third and final time this season tonight in Sunrise. So far the series is split one win each with wins on the opposing team's home ice. The Rangers opened the series with the 5-4 overtime win on November 4 in Florida. Florida took the middle frame at MSG by the same 5-4 final score in regulation.
Chris Kreider who left Thursday’s game in Tampa after a hit to the head was cleared by doctors, but is said to be 50/50 for tonight’s game. Kreider played 2:23 of the first period before exiting for the remainder of the game and was evaluated between periods. The Rangers announced that Kreider was kept out for precautionary reasons.
If Kreider cannot go then Peter Holland will return to the lineup and center the 4th line while Kreider’s spot on the first line with Mika Zibanejad will be taken by Vladislav Namestnikov. Namestnikov skated with Zibanejad and Jesper Fast during practice Thursday. Pavel Buchnevich who was with Kreider and Zibanejad on Thursday was moved to the third line alongside David Desharnais and Jimmy Vesey. Holland slotted in yesterday on the fourth line between Cody McLeod and Paul Carey. The only line to remain intact from the last few games was Ryan Spooner, Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.
There were also changes on the defense pairings as Marc Staal was skating with Neal Pionk, Rob O'Gara with John Gilmour and Brady Skjei with Tony DeAngelo.
Henrik Lundqvist who was pulled in the second period of Thursday’s contest vs Tampa Bay after allowing 4 goals on 31 shots was announced to get the start against Florida tonight.
The 4th Place Atlantic Division Panthers are coming off a 5-0 win over Montreal on Thursday and have won four of their last five games. Vincent Trocheck leads the team in goals with 26, Aleksander Barkov leads in assists with 43 and points with 68.
GAME DAY TEAM LEADERS
Rangers
POINTS: Vladislav Namestnikov 46
GOALS: Vladislav Namestnikov 21
ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 34
Panthers
POINTS: Aleksander Barkov 68
GOALS: Vincent Trocheck 26
ASSISTS: Aleksander Barkov 43
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