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NEW YORK — Big hockey stage. Big hockey game.
The scene is set as the Winnipeg Jets step up a few weight classes from recent games to take on the powerful New York Rangers. These teams are a combined 88-38-9 on the season and in a crowded battle for top billing in their respective divisions, conferences and the entire NHL.
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Winnipeg is coming off back-to-back wins over the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets by a combined score of 12-1.
“It’s obviously not going to be like the last two. It’s going to be a tough test. A very, very different game than the last two games,” Jets centre Mark Scheifele said following Tuesday’s morning skate. “We’ve got to be ready, got to come out guns a-blazin’ and be ready to go and skate and make plays. We’re excited for it. It’s always fun playing at MSG, especially against a good Rangers team.”
Unfortunately, both teams are missing some key pieces. That includes Jets head coach Rick Bowness, who has taken a medical leave and returned to Winnipeg for treatment.
“It’s serious, but it wasn’t something that’s going to be extended long-term,” said associate coach Scott Arniel, who will take the reins in the interim. There’s an outside chance Bowness could be back as early as this weekend when the five-game road trip concludes with afternoon games against the New York Islanders on Saturday and the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Jets forward Gabe Vilardi remains sidelined with an enlarged spleen. The only lineup change tonight is Dylan Samberg, a healthy scratch for the last two, taking the spot of Logan Stanley, who scored his first goal of the year in Sunday’s 6-1 victory over the Blue Jackets. Stanley, Colin Miller, Cole Perfetti and Rasmus Kupari will be the other scratches.
The Rangers are without a couple of familiar names in former Jets Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba, who are both injured. Trouba is expected back soon, while Wheeler’s season is likely done. New York also lost top defenceman Ryan Lindgren to a leg injury last game, so he’s out as well. And rookie phenom Matt Rempe, fresh off serving a four-game suspension, will be a healthy scratch as the Rangers roll the same 12 forwards as they did in a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
The marquee goaltender matchup pits Connor Hellebuyck against Igor Shesterkin.
Here’s some other information to get you set:
FROM THE PRESS BOX
Mike says: First off, what a treat it is to cover a hockey game inside the World’s Most Famous Arena. This is my fourth visit here, and it never, ever gets old.
And tonight is shaping up to be a dandy.
I’m curious to see how old friend Jack Roslovic looks. He’s gone from a miserable situation in Columbus to an incredible opportunity here in New York, where he is currently skating on the top line with Miko Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Talk about a night-and-day scenario.
The former Jets forward, acquired from the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline in exchange for a conditional fourth-round draft pick, had a goal and an assist in Sunday’s game.
Programming note: I’ll have an item on Roslovic, which includes some interesting comments from former head coach Pascal Vincent, in this week’s Dump & Chase column which runs in Saturday’s paper.
As for the Jets, the play of the second line is obviously a big story, as Tyler Toffoli, Sean Monahan and Nikolaj Ehlers have found some serious chemistry. But don’t overlook the fourth line of David Gustafsson, Morgan Barron and Vlad Namestnikov, which had a terrific outing against Columbus. They were involved in three goals, although only two ultimately counted as Barron’s was wiped off the board due to a high stick.
With Perfetti and Kupari waiting in the wings for a chance, there are so many options right now for how that group can look. A very good problem to have.
Jack Roslovic is currently skating on the Rangers’ top line. (John Munson / The Associated Press files)
Ken says: This figures to be an excellent test for the Jets and there’s no doubt this is a game they’ve had circled on the calendar, especially with some of their recent challenges against playoff teams.
By notching a goal on Sunday, Ehlers reached the 20-goal milestone for the seventh time in his career. By adding an assist in the 6-1 victory, he’s up to 49 points, which means he’s on the verge of hitting the 50-point mark for the fifth time in nine seasons. One of the most impressive things about the campaign Ehlers is putting together is that just five of those points have come on the power play, which means he’s an even-strength producing machine.
With his two goals on Sunday, Tyler Toffoli hit the 30-goal mark for the fourth time in his career, and he’s within four goals of the career-best 34 he notched last season with the Calgary Flames.
The Jets are 8-3-1 against Metropolitan Division teams this season, while the Rangers are 9-3-1 against the Central so far.
By winning five of the past six games, the Rangers are holding off a push from the surging Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.
The guy driving the offence is once again Artemi Panarin, who is up 38 goals and 94 points in 68 games this season. That leaves him a whopping 30 points ahead of Kreider (who is second on the Rangers). The Bread Man has eight goals and 27 points in 21 career games against the Jets, dating back to his time with the Chicago Blackhawks. Panarin also had three points in the opening meeting of the season, including an assist on the overtime winner from Zibanejad. Kreider leads the Rangers in power play goals (13) and power play points (23).
Shesterkin has been a puck-stopping machine during his career against the Jets, going 4-1 with a 1.61 goals-against average and .953 save percentage, so this tilt has the potential to be a low-scoring affair.
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