Overview
- With Igor Shesterkin sidelined by a lower-body injury, Spencer Martin starts for New York and Jonathan Quick is expected to play Tuesday in Los Angeles.
- Anaheim enters the night at 24-21-3 (51 points) after three straight wins and will be without Leo Carlsson (thigh) and Frank Vatrano (broken shoulder), while Chris Kreider is cleared to play.
- The Rangers sit at 21-22-6 and trail the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot by nine points.
- Artemi Panarin carries a nine-game point streak and Mika Zibanejad is on an eight-gamer after recording his second hat trick of the month to tie the franchise mark with nine.
- Discussion of GM Chris Drury’s recent 'Letter 2.0' persists, with the coaching staff emphasizing winning and NHL-level development rather than holding out potential trade candidates.