Rangers Host Penguins for the First of Two-Straight Meetings

Rangers Host Penguins for the First of Two-Straight Meetings – Pregame Checklist

After disposing of the Washington Capitals in the opening of their five-game homestand, the Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins for two games over the next three days (7:00 on MSG)

Rangers	NHL Rankings	Penguins
38-19-10	Record	34-23-10
10^th	NHL Standing Rank	16^th
14^th	GF/PG	13^th
10^th	GA/PG	17^th
8^th	PP%	14^th
16^th	PK%	15^th

Rangers vs Penguins

Rangers and Penguins will play two games over the next three days at Madison Square Garden
Pittsburgh has won both meetings against the New York Rangers this season
The Penguins are coming off a 5-4 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens
Ryan Lindgren remains day-to-day and will not play against the Penguins on Thursday
“We’re going to make sure,” said head coach Gerard Gallant before Thursday’s game. Gallant is taking no chances with his top pairing defenseman. Gallant has been hopeful for Lindgren’s return on the weekend but nothing is set in stone
Tristan Jarry will get the start for the Penguins. Jarry is 36-20-7 with a .910 save percentage on the season
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to lead the Penguins in points. Crosby has 81 points while Malkin has 72 – both in 67 games played
Nick Bonino and Dmitry Kulikov are both on the injured reserved and will not be available for the Penguins. Both are currently out long-term and not expected
Artemi Panarin is starting to heat up in the past four games. Panarin has five points in the past four games and points in seven of the last nine games
Igor Shesterkin is expected to get the nod for the Rangers. Shesterkin was victorious against the Capitals on Tuesday
Patrick Kane is expected to open on a line with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck. The trio had a good game together on Tuesday. Panarin was separated from Kane and he had success with Mika Zibanejad and Vladimir Tarasenko. Zibanejad recorded two first period goals on Tuesday
Niko Mikkola did not practice on Wednesday for maintenance reasons. Mikkola is expected to play, but if he is not available then the Rangers will rotate five defensemen