Rangers vs. Sharks: 3 things to watch for when No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini makes 1st Garden visit
The New York Rangers play their final game at Madison Garden for the next 11 days when they host top overall pick Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Rangers have played seven of nine games on home ice since late October and five of six to begin the month of November. They will begin a four-game road trip in Seattle against the Kraken on Sunday.
Interestingly, the Rangers (9-4-1) haven’t taken full advantage of the home cooking. They enter play Thursday just 4-3-1 on home ice, following a 6-3 loss to the League-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. They’ve been much better on the road, with a 5-1-0 record.
The Rangers have lost two of three overall and are 4-4-0 in their past eight games, though they’ve yet to lose consecutive games this season. Their previous game against the Jets saw many of the same defensive mistakes that have plagued the Rangers recently. But coach Peter Laviolette did like how the Blueshirts attacked more on offense and dictated larger parts of the game.
They’ll look to carry that over when they host the 27th overall Sharks, who play the third of a four-game road trip Thursday. Mackenzie Blackwood and the Sharks shut out the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on Sunday and then San Jose dropped a 4-3 shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday after erasing a 3-0 deficit.
The Rangers are 8-0-2 in their past 10 games against the Sharks. They have a .735 points percentage all-time against the Sharks, second best against all active NHL teams.
Related: Barclay Goodrow returns to New York with chip on shoulder, new Sharks role
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Sharks
1. First Garden visit for first overall pick
It’s always a big deal when the top pick in the NHL Draft makes his first appearance in New York at The Garden. It’s special for both the player and the fans. So, that alone makes the game Thursday intriguing because Macklin Celebrini, the 2024 No. 1 pick, makes his Garden debut.
The 18-year-old, who played one year at Boston University, had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 10, but then missed nearly a month because of a hip injury. The talented forward returned Nov. 5 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and scored two goals against the Minnesota Wild two nights later.
His three goals in five games played are tied for third among NHL rookies, just two behind Flyers forward Matvei Michkov, who’s played nine more games.
Celebrini could skate on a line with a former Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow on Thursday. They practiced together with Tyler Toffoli on Wednesday.
2. What’s new is old
Laviolette switched his forward line combinations again at practice Wednesday, reuniting Mika Zibanejad with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. The experiment to shake up stagnant combinations the past several games, didn’t jumpstart Zibanejad, who had an awful night against the Jets, and may have aversely affected other forwards.
The Will Cuylle – Filip Chytil – Kaapo Kakko line was already back in place and produced two more goals Tuesday. They’ve outscored opponents 11-0 5v5 this season.
Laviolette also moved K’Andre Miller back with Adam Fox on the top defense pair. Miller was not good at all paired with Jacob Trouba after a recent switch. Ryan Lindgren, who’s still searching to find his game nine games after returning from a jaw injury, will slide back with Trouba.
And let’s see if Laviolette follows through with more ice time for the Zac Jone – Braden Schneider pair. The coach praised their play several times this week and said they were “warranting more ice time.”
3. Igor seeks to get back on track
Igor Shesterkin has allowed 10 goals in his past two starts, ballooning his goals-against average to 2.85. He was pulled in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres after surrendering five goals on 12 shots a week ago in a 6-1 loss and then gave up another five on 32 shots against the Jets, with an empty-netter not included against his record.
No doubt, Shesterkin was better against the Jets. He made a string of big-time saves, but in the end was outplayed by Connor Hellebuyck. So, yes, Shesterkin would love to get back on track Thursday.
And he probably has the perfect opponent to bounce back against. The Sharks are 31st in the NHL averaging 2.35 goals per game. They’ve scored only eight power-play goals all season and are 25th in the League with the man advantage. Veteran forward Mikael Granlund is averaging a point per game (18 points; seven goals, 11 assists in 17 games) and the Sharks do have some firepower with Celebrini and Toffoli. But this isn’t the Jets. It’s the Sharks. A perfect opportunity for Shesterkin to bounce back before the road trip.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Vesey
Miller – Fox
Lindgren – Trouba
Jones – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Sharks: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks
When: Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to Watch: MSG
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