The New York Rangers held practice on Friday in Sunrise, Florida. With the team on a two-game losing streak, Alain Vigneault changed the lines in practice as the team prepared to take on the Florida Panthers Saturday night.
- New York Rangers (30-32-6 66 Pts.)
- Florida Panthers (33-25-7 73 Pts.)
- Venue: BB&T Center
- Location: Sunrise, Florida
The New York Rangers look to end a two-game slide as they take on the Florida Panthers Saturday night at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fl.
Alain Vigneault changes the lines yet again
As the team took to the ice for practice, new line combinations were in play as Alain Vigneault looked to get better results against the Panthers tonight then he has in the last two games.
Into the blender! #NYR practice lines: Namestnikov-Zibanejad-Fast, Spooner-Hayes-Zuccarello, Vesey-Desharnais-Buchnevich, McLeod-Holland-Carey.
Staal-Pionk(Shattenkirk rotating), O’Gara-Gilmour, Skjei-DeAngelo.— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 9, 2018
- Vladislav Namestnikov – Mika Zibanejad– Jesper Fast
- Ryan Spooner – Kevin Hayes– Mats Zuccarello
- Jimmy Vesey – David Desharnais – Pavel Buchnevich
- Cody Mcleod – Peter Holland – Paul Carey
Defensemen
Alain Vigneault will most likely start the game with this lineup and then will see how long it takes before he blows it up and tries other combinations.
Chris Kreider skated with the team
Chris Kreider was one of the first players to hit the ice when practice began. Kreider missed all but one shift on Thursday night when the Rangers visited the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vigneault said Kreider took a hit in the head and though he passed all required concussion tests, it was decided to keep him out for the rest of the game for precautionary reasons.
Vigneault said Kreider got hit in the head, but passed all the tests and was held out for precaution. #NYR
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 9, 2018
Kreider skated with the team but was noticeably absent from his regular spot in the lineup on the wing and from the two power-play units. Namestnikov took his spot on one of the power play lines.
Kreider not on either power play unit, while Namestnikov is practicing as a winger (where he played last night when Kreider went out). So, thinking Kreider probably won’t play tomorrow. #NYR
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 9, 2018
Alain Vigneault said that Kreider is 50/50 to play tonight. Another word, he is a game-time decision.
AV said Chris Kreider is 50/50 to play tomorrow against the Panthers. #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 9, 2018
Kevin Shattenkirk practice with the team again
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk skated with the team in a regular white jersey. He took alternating shifts during practice with Staal and Pionk. Though there has been no official return date for Shattenkirk, his return to the ice even for practice will benefit Gilmour and Pionk as they are trying to learn on the fly.
Shattenkirk said he feels good, but isn’t ready to return and doesn’t know when he will be ready. But he is getting better and better.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) March 9, 2018
Henrik Lundqvist will start in goal tonight. It will be his 58th appearance of the season as he has a 25-23-5 record with two shutouts.
Oh, and AV said Lundqvist will start against Florida.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) March 9, 2018
- ESNY’s Dominick Renna wonders what happens to the defense once Kevin Shattenkirk returns?
- Joe Fortunato of Blueshirt Banter talks about the Rangers center issues.
- I discuss when Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil will join the Rangers lineup.
