Rangers vs. Maple Leafs: 3 things to look for in Hockey Night in Canada clash
Two perennial Stanley Cup contenders in recent seasons, each a favorite again in 2024-25, clash on Hockey Night in Canada when the New York Rangers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.
This one has plenty of star power. The Rangers (3-0-1) dress Artemi Panarin, the leading scorer in the NHL with 11 points, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad and Igor Shesterkin among others in their lineup. The Maple Leafs (3-1-0) counter with Auston Matthews, coming off a 69-goal season, Mitchell Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
The Rangers have lost four of their past five games against the Maple Leafs (1-2-2), three by one goal. But they’re off to a fast start this season offensively, leading all teams by averaging 5.0 goals per game. So, the Rangers are a handful, and haven’t scored fewer than four in any single game after a 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
But Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has emphasized the need to tidy up their defensive game. Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick have cleaned up things up solid play in goal, but the Maple Leafs will provide a difficult challenge Saturday.
Related: Top 10 goalie tandems in NHL including Rangers’ Shesterkin and Quick
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Maple Leafs
1. Step up in class
After opening the season with four games against three teams that didn’t make the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, the Rangers step up in class Saturday against one of the League’s heavyweights. The Maple Leafs are not only a Stanley Cup contender but off to a good start this season, riding a three-game winning streak and receiving contributions throughout the lineup.
Known as an offensive juggernaut, the Maple Leafs have tightened it up under new coach Craig Berube and allowed only seven goals in their first four games, never more than two. Goalie Anthony Stolarz, who has a Stanley Cup ring as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup last season with the Florida Panthers, is 2-1-0 in three starts, with a 1.70 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.
Though star forwards William Nylander and Mitchell Marner have combined for nine points (four goals, five assists) in the past two games, it’s Toronto’s depth scoring that stands out. Forward Max Domi has five assists in the past three games, Bobby McCann has three goals this season already and 15 skaters have at least one point.
This will be a real good test for the Rangers.
2. Forgotten Rangers defenseman to make season debut
Chad Ruhwedel will play his first game of the season on Saturday. The 34-year-old has been kind of the forgotten man on the defense corps, who really never appeared to be in serious contention for a spot on the third pair after Ryan Lindgren sustained an upper-body injury in the preseason. It always felt like Ruhwedel was destined to be the 7th defenseman, as Victor Mancini beat out a field that included Connor Mackey, Ben Harpur and Matthew Robertson to open the season in New York.
Mancini will remain in the lineup against the Maple Leafs, and it’s Zac Jones who’ll be the healthy scratch. That’s a bit of a surprise, even though Mancini, a 22-year-old rookie, has played exceptionally well and scored his first NHL goal Thursday. Jones has been the heir apparent to land a regular lineup spot this season after excelling when called upon in 31 games last season.
It’s likely Laviolette is trying to give a fair look at all options before Lindgren returns, which is expected to be sooner rather than later. The logical take is that Mancini will be assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League when Lindgren returns, and that Ruhwedel will be the extra defenseman and Jones will be on the third pair with either Jacob Trouba or Braden Schneider. But we’ll see how it plays out.
Ruhwedel played only five games after the Rangers picked him up in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the deadline last season. The 2017 Stanley Cup winner didn’t play at all in the playoffs this past spring.
3. Rempe vs. Reaves Round 2?
When the Rangers last visited Scotiabank Arena on March 2 last season, Matt Rempe played his seventh NHL game. And after taking on several NHL heavyweights, Rempe was primed for the opportunity to throw down with one of the most feared fighters in the sport, former Rangers enforcer Ryan Reaves.
Reaves obliged the 6-foot-9 rookie in the third period in a fairly even exchange. Afterward, Reaves pumped up the home crowd and Rempe stuck his tongue out wearing a big smile sitting in the penalty box. After the game Reaves praised Rempe and offered his respect.
Rempe is back in the Rangers lineup Saturday after being a healthy scratch in two straight games and three of the first four this season. He’s talked often about staying away from fights and focusing on playing a smart physical game. But will it be too tempting to tangle with Reaves again? Tune in to find out.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe
Miller – Fox
Schneider – Trouba
Ruhwedel – Mancini
Shesterkin
Quick
Check back for updates after Rangers coach Peter Laviolette meets with the media Saturday morning.
Rangers vs. Maple Leafs: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who:Â New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Where:Â Scotiabank Arena
When:Â Saturday Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch:Â MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
More About:New York Rangers News
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