Game #70: Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Rangers Open Thread

Another night on the ice presents another opportunity for the Rangers to get back on track.

Peter Laviolette's squad is back in action as it looks to rebound from a horrid showing on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Tonight marks the third game of this four-game home stand against Canadian teams as the Blueshirts will host Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six clash.

Tuesday's defeat combined with a Montreal Canadiens victory dropped the Rangers out of a playoff spot for the time being. Montreal has one more standings points than New York as well as a pair of games in hand, and the Blue Jackets, Islanders, and Red Wings are all within two points of the Rangers while also having at least a game in hand. New York will look to take advantage of a tired Toronto team that defeated the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, and third-consecutive loss would be a devastating blow for the Blueshirts.

Player to Watch: Artemi Panarin

Panarin's goal less than two minutes into Tuesday's game against Calgary started the Rangers off on the right foot in that matchup. Unfortunately, the Blueshirts more or less took the remaining 58 minutes and change of the game off as Calgary responded with two goals in the first and suffocated New York defensively. Keep an eye on Panarin tonight as the Rangers look to bust out of the low-scoring ways that have plagued them in their previous two contests.

Enjoy the game!