Game #69: Winnipeg Jets vs New York Rangers Open Thread

After spending last week running a gauntlet of five games in seven games and emerging with a 4-1-0 record, the Blueshirts are set to begin another type of five game gauntlet. Although the next five games will take place in a more reasonable ten day span, those ten days feature New York’s roughest five game stretch of the season

Each of the next five games will be against teams in playoff position as of now, and all of those teams are currently in the top three of their respective division. Sans the Rangers, six teams have already eclipsed the 90 point mark in the standings, and Peter Laviolette’s squad will encounter four of those teams in its next five games. The Winnipeg Jets are one of those four teams, and they’ll be the first test the Rangers will look to pass. In spite of reported attendance issues casting some doubt on the Jets long-term future in Winnipeg, the team currently sits atop the central division with 43 wins and 91 points, well on the way to eclipsing the 46 win, 95 point performance from 2022-23. The Rangers took the first game of the season series back on October 30th with a 3-2 overtime victory in Winnipeg, and now will look to defend home ice.

Player to Watch: Chad Ruhwedel

Ruhwedel will be the player to watch in his Broadway debut. Ryan Lindgren’s lower-body injury on Sunday has created an opportunity for Ruhwedel to step into the lineup for the time being. Brandon Scanlin was recalled from AHL Hartford for depth purposes, so Ruhwedel will have all the rope he needs to try and etch a spot in the lineup moving forward. Keep an eye on #5 in blue tonight as he dons the Blueshirt for the first time.

Enjoy the game!