Rangers Roundup: Georgiev to face Canes, Knoblauch on Jones – Lundkvist, and more

The New York Rangers held a well attended optional morning skate as they get set to face the Carolina Hurricanes. This will be a battle between not only the top two teams in the Metro Division but in the NHL’s overall standings as well.

The Blueshirts are constantly reminded about being the new kids on the contenders block. However, whenever asked the response to a man is basically the same.

“There’s some real good teams (at the top of the Metro Division,” Gallant said. “It’s about the two points at the end of the night. I don’t care who we are playing. [The Hurricanes] are trying to catch us. We’re fortunate where we are at, and they’re the team looking up. If you can beat them it’s a four point game. But I still want to the two points against Arizona on Saturday.”

Rangers will start Georgiev versus the Canes

Head coach Gerard Gallant announced Alexandar Georgiev will get the nod in goal tonight.

“Georgie is playing tonight — and don’t ask why,” he said with a laugh.

Georgiev is 1-1-0, in his career against the Hurricanes with an .880 SV%, and a 5.07 GAA. It certainly would be justified to question the choice. Although, Georgiev could be chomping at the bit to get a little bit of revenge against a former teammate.

Early last season, in a 5-4 OT loss to the Penguins the threesome of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and DeAngelo were pinned in the zone during a a long shift. All three could barely skate by the time Sidney Crosby scored.

However, prior to the goal, Georgiev and DeAngelo had a miscommunication behind the net leading to a failed clearing of the puck. It was later learned that DeAngelo made a remark to Georgiev in the locker room which caused a scuffle between the players that needed to be broken up.

DeAngelo was then waived and exiled. New York eventually bought out his contract and the Hurricanes signed him to a one-year show me deal this summer.

While Georgiev may have some extra motivation, one thing is for certain, he and the Rangers need to be ready for the Canes speed.

“I think they play the fastest game in the league,” Gallant said. “They roll out four lines and they all play the same. Like I said the other day, if they’re not the best team in the league, they’re right there.”

Knoblauch on Jones and Lundkvist