Game #50: Colorado Avalanche vs New York Rangers Open Thread

With the All-Star break now in the rear view mirror, the Rangers are set to begin a second half surge towards the playoffs. The Blueshirts are getting back into action quicker than most teams, as tonight’s contest against Colorado is only one of two games being contested around the league.

After limping into the break at the end of January, Peter Laviolette’s squad will kick things off against one of the NHL’s most dynamic offensive attacks. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar lead Colorado from the forward corps and blue line respectively, and former Ranger Alexandar Georgiev was also in attendance for the All-Star festivities in Toronto this past weekend. With the Carolina Hurricanes breathing down New York’s neck for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, every game’s importance will be kicked up a notch in intensity the rest of the way.

Player to Watch: Vincent Trocheck

Trocheck was one of two Blueshirts’ players that attended All-Star weekend. Igor Shesterkin was New York’s other representative, but he’ll be taking a back seat to Jonathan Quick for tonight’s contest. Keep an eye on Trocheck as he skated between Artemiy Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere to help the Rangers get back into the swing of things.

Enjoy the game!