The Rangers are in Toronto for the season series finale against the tough Maple Leafs (7:00 P.M. ET, MSG).
The Rangers struggles in March continued in their last game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blueshirts were defeated 3-2 and they now have just one win in ten March games. The schedule doesn’t get any easier as they face the Leafs who sit 6th in the NHL. Ryan Strome and Brendan Smith each registered a goal for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves in defeat.
“We worked really hard and you can’t ask for anything more than that type of mindset – going in and leaving everything out there,” said Lundqvist. Jimmy Howard played an important role for the Red Wings making 41 saves.
Alex Georgiev will start for the Rangers against the Leafs. Georgiev was the story of the game, the last time the Rangers versed Toronto. On his birthday, the now 23-year-old made 55 saves and held the Leafs to just one goal. Georgiev set a Madison Square Garden record for saves by a Rangers goalie. The Leafs powerplay registered 27 shots, but none were good enough to beat Georgiev.
“I felt pretty good,” Georgiev said. “It was just a night where I kept my focus pretty much the whole game, was patient and played a very, very solid game. But at the same time, every game is different. I don’t think they will get 56 shots again. I hope not.”
“He’s proven what he’s capable of handling,” Quinn said. “He’s been in some big-pressure games against some really good teams, and he’s done very well. So, this is just another opportunity for him to continue to grow and develop and get better.”
Frederik Andersen will oppose Georgiev. Andersen is 1-3 in his last four starts with a .802 save percentage.
The Leafs dominant offense are led by John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. All of which are averaging over a point per game. Morgan Rielly on the back end has 68 points (20 goals) and is a plus 27. However, it was only Kasperi Kapanen to beat Georgiev in Madison Square Garden. The Leafs big guns hope they will have better luck against Georgiev.
“Georgiev gave us a lot of trouble last time so we have to do a much better job tonight of trying to take away his eyes,” said Matthews. “He made some pretty unbelievable saves last time.”
The Rangers will be without Chris Kreider for the first time this season. Kreider has played in all 73 games this season and is second on the team in points with 49. Kreider is dealing with a lower-body injury and will get an MRI. He is considered day-to-day.
Marc Staal’s status for Saturday’s game is up in the air. Staal is dealing with a lower-body injury. If he can’t play, Freddy Claesson will draw back into the lineup or Brendan Smith will drop back on defense and Boo Nieves or Connor Brickley will likely draw into the lineup.
Projected Lineup:
Vesey-Zibanejad-Strome
Namestnikov-Howden-Buchnevich
Fast-Andersson-Lemieux
Smith-Chytil-Lettieri
Staal-DeAngelo
Skjei-Pionk
Gilmour-Shattenkirk
Georgiev
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