The season is now real for the Rangers. After sweeping the Devils, the Rangers are technically still in the playoff hunt. They looked somewhat good in the sweep, but did take some periods off here and there. Now they get the Islanders, a team they can catch, in a big four-point swing game. A loss here would decimate their hopes of catching them.
The lines mostly stay the same, which means no Zac Jones. Anthony Bitetto stays in for Libor Hajek, which I guess is an upgrade. It’s still Igor Shesterkin in net, although Alex Georgiev played well the other day to complete the sweep.