After playing the Penguins to a draw after 65:00 of hockey two nights ago, the Rangers will clash with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the rest of Mike Sullivan’s Pittsburgh squad. The youthful Blueshirts saw a 3-1 lead past the midway point of the game disappear, and the team only managed to earn one point from Friday’s contest.

In spite of the solid effort in the first game against Pittsburgh, David Quinn has opted for two lineup changes:

DQ says Brendan Smith will replace Jack Johnson in tonight's game. Also, Igor in goal and Blackwell replaces Lemieux on the 4th line. #NYR

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 24, 2021

After being New York’s worst defenseman through the first four games, Jack Johnson will watch tonight’s action from the press box and Brendan Smith will take his place. Meanwhile,  Colin Blackwell will be making his Rangers’ debut on the team’s 4th line. Brendan Lemieux will sit for the first time this season.

Player to Watch: Colin Blackwell

As one of the signings Jeff Gorton made to shore up the team’s forward depth, Blackwell was arguably the best of the group. Having spent the previous season in Nashville, look for Blackwell to play some solid, if not unspectacular minutes for New York’s 4th line tonight.

Enjoy the game!