New York Rangers Daily: Searching for answers on Broadway; 4 Nations Face-off roster intrigue
Welcome to the New York Rangers Daily, a new one-stop spot each morning for the latest news on the Blueshirts and the rest of the NHL.
The Rangers are in the midst of three days between games, following a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday. They will practice again Wednesday, after on- and off-ice sessions Tuesday, and before a complete day off Thursday. They return to action against the resurgent (more on that below) Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at Madison Square Garden.
Entering Wednesday, the Rangers (13-10-1) are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for fourth in the Metropolitan Division. However, it should be noted that the Rangers have games in hand on each team in the division except the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blueshirts, who’ve lost six of their past seven games, are nine points behind the Devils and Washington Capitals, who are tied for first in the Metro, but just two points out of last place in the division.
So, there’s your morning slap in the face.
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New York Rangers news
Following their latest loss Monday, Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck were among the team’s stars groping for answers about how the Rangers can free themselves from their current funk.
Speaking of that 5-1 loss to the Devils, here are our three takeaways, including just another brutal start by the Rangers.
Do you know who may not be getting enough — if any — blame for the most recent slump? Igor Shesterkin. We take a dive into why Shesterkin’s recent play should be concerning for the Rangers.
Speaking of concern, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has none when it comes to Adam Fox not scoring any goals this season.
Looking to save every possible penny against the NHL salary cap, the Rangers assigned seventh defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to Hartford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. Three days of savings, and then a likely recall on Friday.
News and storylines from the NHL
Final rosters were announced for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday, with three Rangers added.
Fox was already named to the U.S. squad and Zibanejad is on Sweden’s roster. Trocheck and Chris Kreider were named to Team USA Wednesday evening, a few hours after Kaapo Kakko was selected to Finland’s roster.
Remember, we mentioned the Penguins? They won their fourth straight game Tuesday, a wild 5-4 OT victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Bryan Rust’s game-winning goal.
Welcome back Patrik Laine. In his debut with the Montreal Canadiens following a trade from the Blue Jackets in the offseason and knee injury during the preseason, Laine wired home his first goal 7:23 into the second period of Montreal’s 2-1 overtime win against the Islanders.
Speaking of overtime, Kirill “The Thrill” Kaprizov kept the good times rolling in Minnesota, scoring the OT winner when the Wild defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2. The Wild (17-4-4) have won four in a row and are first overall in the NHL standings with 38 points.
The Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets joined together for an emotional tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau which included his parents and widow. The forward, who starred for both the Flames and Blue Jackets in the NHL, was killed tragically in a biking accident this summer. Of secondary importance, the Flames won 3-0 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
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