Game #72: New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings Open Thread

A make-or-break road trip for the Blueshirts kicks off in Los Angeles tonight.

With only 11 games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season, Peter Laviolette's squad will spend its next three contests in California on a western swing that could propel the team into the playoffs or sink its season. The Rangers entered play on Tuesday one point back of the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but with Montreal holding two games in hand. New York will have to make the most of the games it has on its remaining schedule, and that starts tonight in a rematch of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Kings.

Laviolette shook up the forward combinations at practice on Monday as the Rangers look for an offensive spark. The team earned a critical victory over Vancouver on Saturday prior to hitting the road, but Saturday's effort was not one of the team's best in spite of the win.

Player to Watch: Brennan Othmann

The biggest beneficiary of Monday's new line combinations, Othmann will have his best opportunity to make a mark starting tonight. Othmann recorded an assist for his first career NHL point in his 16th game on Saturday, and will skate alongside Vincent Trocheck and Artemiy Panarin to begin tonight's contest. Othmann's opportunities have been relatively limited thus far, as the former 15th overall pick in 2021 has been relegated primarily to fourth-line duty, and has skated under 8:30 of ice time in each of the previous six games. Keep an eye on Othmann tonight as he looks to take advantage of a premium lineup spot.

Enjoy the game!