Open Game Thread: Rangers vs Lightning
For the first time in nearly eleven months, Tanner Glass will play a meaningful game for the New York Rangers, as the hard-nosed forward is set to make his season debut and add some much-needed grit to New York's lineup. Matt Puempel is slated to spend a night in the press box along with Adam Clendening, who will be replaced by Steven Kampfer:
AV on Glass: "I want him to play his game ... When he has an opportunity to hit, he does. That's what we expect from him." #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 6, 2017
Vigneault on Kampfer: "I just felt tonight for our team, the way he skates it's a good game to get him in." #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 6, 2017
Meanwhile, the Lightning are looking to make a late season playoff push, in spite of renting out their pending free agents to Toronto (Brian Boyle) and Pittsburgh (Mark Streit). Entering play tonight, Tampa Bay is only three points out of the second Wild Card spot, so one winning streak is all it would take for the Bolts to find themselves playing hockey into the end of April, and perhaps even longer.
Player to Watch: Since he makes his long overdue season debut tonight, Tanner Glass is Blueshirt Banter's official player to watch tonight. With his presence now looming on the bench, look for other teams to think twice before going after a player or getting a little too close to Antti Raanta tonight. If Glass is able to throw his weight around, bang a few bodies, and play his game, then Jeff Gorton will have struck gold once again by rediscovering a valuable asset for Alain Vigneault's 4th Line.
Enjoy the game!