Game #8: Minnesota Wild vs. New York Rangers Open Thread

The New York Rangers return to Madison Square Garden for the fourth time this season, and will hopefully find a way to put one in the back of the net for the home fans.

The Blueshirts are coming off a 4-3 win against the Canadiens, where Artemi Panarin was involved in everything, netting a goal and three assists. The Wild enter tonight's game with a record of 2-3-1, but have won their last two.

Carson Soucy is coming off injured reserve and will play on the third line with Braden Schneider, while Urho Vaakanainen is (finally) coming out of the lineup. Even with Soucy back, Matthew Robertson will keep playing on the second pair with Will Borgen. The forwards will remain the same as in the previous game, while Igor Shesterkin will be back in the net looking to continue his phenomenal start to the season. For the Wild, Filip Gustavsson will be between the pipes, and Marco Rossi is out with an injury.

Player to Watch: Matthew Robertson

Matthew Robertson has been quite the pleasant surprise on the Rangers' blue line so far this season. When he was called up for two games last season, it seemed he wasn't worth a second look and would not be able to contribute in the NHL. Now, after four games on the second pair, Robertson has surpassed expectations.

If Robertson can keep this play up through the season, it will go a long way for a team that entered the season with plenty of defensive concern outside of their top pair. With Soucy healthy, Robertson is now being given the opportunity to keep his spot in the lineup after starting the season as the team's seventh defenseman.