Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG After three straight wins, the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/rangers-chicago-original-six-importance-blackhawks-fischler] (32-16-3) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (14-35-2) on Friday night. Puck drop from the United Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Entering this game, the Rangers have won their last three, including a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. Jonathan Quick had the start in goal and picked up another win for the Rangers. Jimmy Vesey scored twice for the Rangers with the game's first goal and an empty netter in the final minutes to close it out. New York went up 2-0 after the second period and held onto their lead by only giving up one goal to Brandon Hagel. NEW YORK RANGERS MORNING SKATE After Quick started the first two games after the All-Star break, Igor Shesterkin will be in between the pipes for the Rangers. Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Blake Wheeler Artemi Panarin -- Vincent Trochcek -- Alexis Lafreinere WIll Cullye -- Jonny Brodzinski -- Kaapo Kaako Jimmy Vesey -- Barclay Goodrow -- Tyler Pitlick Ryan Lindgren --Adam Fox K’Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba Erik Gustafsson -- Braden Schneider Igor Shesterkin Jonathan Quick CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS LINES Nick Foligno -- Phillip Kurashev -- Tyler Johnson Colin Blackwell -- Zach Sanford -- Anderson Katchouk -- Mackenzie Entwhistle -- Taylor Raddysh Kirby Reichel --Rem Pitlick – Ryan Donato Vlasic -- Seth Jones Kevin Korchinski -- Jayson Megna Jared Tinordi -- Phillips Petr Mrazek Arvid Soderblom RANGERS NOTES The last time the Rangers faced the Blackhawks was on Jan. 4 in what was a convincing 4-1 win for New York. Trocheck had three assists, and the goals were scored by Panarin, Kreider, Trouba, and Vesey. Panarin has always been successful against his former team. When facing the Blackhawks, Panarin has totaled eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points across just 10 games. This dates back to his time in Columbus. The Russian winger has points in seven straight games against Chicago. BLACKHAWKS NOTES Chicago currently sits in last place in the entire NHL. They have 30 points in 51 games played and have won just three games since Connor Bedard was injured back on Jan. 5 against the New Jersey Devils. It has been tough on offense for the Blackhawks, as they are averaging a league-worst 2.06 goals per game. Their power play also sits 32nd in the NHL, with a success rate of 12.3%. Dickinson is tied for second in points with Kurashev on the Blackhawks. Both have 25 points, but with Dickinson reaching that total in seven more games than Kurashev. The impressive part is Dickinson holds a plus/minus of +8, by far the highest on the team and one of the only players to be in the plus department. Petr Mrazek was in the starter’s net during morning skate and is expected to get the nod in goal tonight. BETTING CORNER Tonight, the Rangers are the heavy favorites, coming in at -300 on the money line. The Blackhawks sit at +230. The spread is in favor of New York, coming in at 1.5 with the Over/Under number currently at 5.5. All lines are courtesy of MGM Sportsbook. HOW TO WATCH: Tonight’s game is available on MSG. On the radio, tonight’s game is available on 98.7 ESPN FM.
