The New York Rangers will continue to ride their number goaltender tonight in the rematch at the Prudential Center. Igor Shesterkin is coming off a 3-0 shutout of the Devils as the Blueshirts look to narrow the gap for fourth place with the Boston Bruins. Currently the team is 4 points out of a playoff spot with the Bruins facing the Islanders in Boston.
Rangers: 20-16-6 (46 pts)
Devils: 14-21-6 (34 pts)
Artemi Panarin who was seen nursing his back on the bench with a heating pad in the last game did not practice today. The team called it a maintenance day with David Quinn saying he should be “good to go tonight.”
A pleasant surprise occurred when Zac Jones took his first full practice with the team today. He will officially wear the #6, a number he wore with Team USA. It’s been quite a journey for the Rangers 3rd round draft choice in 2019. “Being drafted was a great experience. I spoke to the Rangers once and didn’t think they were going to pick me,” Jones told us an interview back in October. “I was at the draft with my parents, my advisor and my high school coach. It was awesome. I initially didn’t want to go but I am happy I changed my mind.”
Now he’s won a National Championship with UMASS, was named to the All-Tournament team, and signed his ELC with the Blueshirts. All that remains is playing his first NHL game which should be on tap before this season concludes.
Oh hi, Zac. pic.twitter.com/lsFb3bF2wP
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 15, 2021
Notes courtesy NYR
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