The New York Rangers are staring down a three-game skid as they battle the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
The New York Rangers (26-11-2) play the St.Louis Blues (20-18-10) at the Enterprise Center at 8 p.m ET.
The Blueshirts are 8-7-1 over the last month, dropping their last two games to the Montreal Canadiens in a shootout and the Vancouver Canucks in a track meet. They have surrendered 14 goals in their last four contests.
Following tonight's game the Rangers host the first game of a back-to-back set, both matches against the Washington Capitals.
Morning Skate Updates: The Rangers skated this afternoon at the Enterprise Center. According to Mollie Walker of The New York Post, Igor Shesterkin will start tonight for the Rangers(16-9-0, 2.85 GAA, .904 SV%).
Rangers Projected Lines:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Cuylle
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Bonino-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski
Vesey-Goodrow-Wheeler
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Schneider-Gustafsson
Shesterkin
Blues Projected Lines:
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Saad-Schenn-Neighbours
Blais-Hayes-Sundqvist
Toropchenko-Walker-Kapanen
Leddy-Parayko
Krug-Kessel
Scandella-Perunovich
Binnington
Rangers Notes: The New York Rangers emphasized neutral zone play this week following Tuesday night's loss to the ascending Vancouver Canucks.
"We know that that wasn't our best game, but I still don't think we did everything to that standard," K'Andre Miller told The Hockey News on Wednesday."I think we can still pull some good things out of the game to improve on and something that you knew that you liked or didn't like."
The team's offense is not an area of concern, as six skaters have 25 or more points this season. The Rangers don't intend on leaning heavily into their trap structure as a response to the team's difficulty with neutral zone play and defense.
"It's a read. I think when we can play fast and move. We don't need to set up [our trap] as much given our structure," Miller said. "I think that's our best when everyone's going and reading off each other and being predictable. That's when we're our best and when we're our fastest. So I think getting back to that is going to be huge this next game."
Blues Notes: The Blues have a home record of 12-7-0, which contrasts with their 8-11-1 road record. They are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games, with a -15 goal differential this season.
Former New York Ranger Pavel Buchnevich has recorded 12 goals and 29 points in 37 games this season. He is second on the team in points.
Jordan Binnington has won back-to-back starts, with a 0.96 goals-against average and a .964 save percentage. The Blues staring goaltender is playing his best hockey of the season.
How To Watch: Tonight's game is available on ESPN+ and ESPN, MSG Networks, and 98.7 ESPN Radio.