Game #53: Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers Open Thread

With the NFL season in the rear view mirror and the Yankees and Mets yet to report to spring training, the New York sports spotlight is set to shine on Madison Square Garden and the hottest team in town. In addition to that team, the Rangers will also resume their 2023-24 campaign tonight in the latest renewal of an old Patrick Division rivalry.

The Calgary Flames are in town for their annual trip into Manhattan, and the Rangers will look to knock off this Flames team that has already began selling off pieces. First it was Nikita Zadorov making his way from Calgary to Vancouver via a late November trade in exchange for draft picks, and Elias Lindholm followed suit during the All-Star break. While Calgary is in full-blown sell mode, the Rangers are going through the final steps of internal evaluation before deciding how they’ll be tackling the trade deadline, and that evaluation process will continue tonight.

Player to Watch: Adam Edstrom

After making his NHL debut and scoring on December 15th against the Anaheim Ducks, Edstrom was sent back to AHL Hartford until yesterday. Edstrom, along with Matthew Rempe, were called up as the Rangers search for an internal answer at center in the wake of Filip Chytil’s season-ending setback. Rempe is expected to sit as a healthy scratch tonight, while Edstrom will draw into the lineup for his second career NHL game. Edstrom will take Tyler Pitlick’s spot as the right wing on the 4th line with Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow, so keep an eye on Edstrom in what is likely to be limited minutes.

Enjoy the game!