Rangers vs. Wild: 3 things to watch for in must-win game, Gabe Perreault NHL debut
For the New York Rangers, their game Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild is a continuation of the chase for a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. It’s also the beginning a new era, of sorts.
Prized prospect Gabe Perreault is expected to make his NHL debut Wednesday. The 2023 first-round pick signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers on Monday and practiced with them Tuesday after two stellar seasons with Boston College. The skilled winger was second in the nation in assists (73) and third in points (108) the past two years at BC, and helped lead them into the national championship game in 2024, when they lost to Denver 3-1.
Coach Peter Laviolette pointed to Perreault’s experience and success playing on the big stage during his young career as a big reason he believes the 19-year-old can handle joining the Rangers in the midst of a tight playoff race.
“When the game comes, he’s played at some high level hockey, when you think about his career and what he’s done, and he’s succeeded at all of it,” Laviolette said after practice Tuesday. “But this is the next step and the biggest step … you’re talking about the best of the best when it comes to this league, now it’s another step, another challenge for him. But he’s answered those challenges along the way.”
Perreault played a big role for the United States, helping them win consecutive World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025. He had 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 14 games spread over those two tournaments, earning a pair of gold medals.
His debut will cause quite a stir at Madison Square Garden, but the task on the ice remains the same for the Rangers: Secure two points.
The Rangers (35-32-7) return home from a 1-1-1 California road trip that ended with a convincing 6-1 beatdown of the lowly San Jose Sharks on Saturday. But they’re on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. They’re two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference with eight games to play.
They host the Wild (41-28-6), who are 1-3-1 in their past five games. Minnesota is the second wild card in the Western Conference, after the surging St. Louis Blues won their 10th straight game Tuesday and bumped the Wild out of the first wild card.
This is the second meeting between the teams in three weeks. The Rangers secured a thrilling 3-2 win on Braden Schneider’s overtime goal at Xcel Energy Center on March 20.
Related: Gabe Perreault set to ‘take next step’ in likely NHL debut against Wild
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Wild
1. Miller time
Along with all the other roles J.T. Miller fills for the Rangers — top-six center, point-per-game producer, key penalty killer, emotional leader who drags others into the fight — the 32-year-old will take Perreault under his wing Wednesday, serving as an on-ice mentor as well as linemate.
Miller is expected to center Perreault and Alexis Lafreniere on a line that has the potential to do some special things. There’s a lot of talent there — and a lot of pressure and focus on Miller to make it work.
That means creating space for his young wings to do their thing, as well as making sure they’re as diligent as he is on the backcheck and playing a smart, responsible game defensively.
Wouldn’t hurt if Miller can keep rolling. He’s got seven points (three goals, four assists) during a four-game point streak and 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 24 games since being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31.
2. No thrill for Kirill
Good for the Rangers, bad for the Wild — stud forward Kirill Kaprizov remains out of Minnesota’s lineup following January groin surgery. He returned to practice this week and is in New York — though he’ll meet with his surgeon, not play against the Rangers.
The Wild don’t score a lot without their star wing. Kaprizov was off to an incredible start — 23 goals and 52 points in 37 games — and they miss him terribly. They’re 28th in the NHL, averaging 2.68 goals per game.
Minnesota also is without another key forward, Joel Eriksson Ek, who’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury since late February. Like Kaprizov, he returned to practice but is not ready to play in a game.
3. Extra effort
The Rangers will announce the winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award prior to the game Wednesday. The award, voted on by fans, is presented annually to the Rangers player who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
Vincent Trocheck won the award last season, and could very well win it again this time around. Igor Shesterkin will get plenty of votes, you would think. Will Cuylle, too. Maybe Will Borgen, Sam Carrick or Braden Schneider. J.T. Miller has only been here a quarter of the season, but there’ll be those who vote for him.
Mika Zibanejad is a two-time winner of the prestigious award. Can’t imagine him winning it a third time here.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Othmann
Perreault – J.T. Miller – Lafreniere
Kreider – Zibanejad – Cuylle
Berard – Carrick Brodzinski
Soucy – Fox
K. Miller – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Wild: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers Minnesota Wild
When: Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to watch: MSGSN
More About:New York Rangers News