Rangers Need to Find Their Offensive Game Against Oilers

The Blueshirts are still searching for their first goal on home ice and they will need to find their offense in a battle with the star-studded Oilers (7:00PM on MSG).

Rangers	Rankings	Oilers
2-2-0	Record	1-0-1
6th	League Rank	20th
25th	Goals For	19th
2nd	Goals Against	6th
16th	Power play	11th
1st	Penalty Kill	14th

Rangers vs Oilers

The Blueshirts enter Tuesday night’s game with two wins and two defeats on the season. Interestingly, both defeats came on home ice and the Rangers failed to score in each of those games. On Sunday, they faced Charlie Lindgren who was exceptional. It was one of those games where you tip you cap to the goalie. It has been a different story on the road so far. The Rangers have played very well with two wins and outscored both opponents by a combined 10-1.

One big piece missing from the puzzle is second line center Vincent Trocheck who was injured during the second game of the season. Trocheck is considered week-to-week. The Blueshirts have adapted to his absence by splitting up J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad. Both are natural centers, but started on the same line on opening night and in during the second game in Buffalo. Zibanejad has just one point on the season whereas Miller has three, but has yet to hit his stride.

Noah Laba has been a very welcoming addition to new head coach Mike Sullivan’s squad. Laba is a hard worker and his consistency in all zones has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers. Laba has emerged as the third line center to start the season and he has two assists to show for it.

In fact, the Rangers fourth line has been one of their best lines to start the season. Consisting of Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe – the trio has combined for six points and each are plus players. This trio has been a hard working line which has done a great job on the forecheck. Parts of this appeared last season when they were together prior to Edstrom’s injury.

The Blueshirts will have a tough task as they look to defend against the high powered offense of the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton are led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who many consider are top five forwards in the league if not top three. The duo each have three points on the season along with former first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Beating the Edmonton Oilers with only getting a goal or two is extremely difficult. The offense for the Rangers must come through in Manhattan on Tuesday night.

The reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists have high end players who can hurt you and solid depth to help round out their lineup. Notable depth players include Trent Frederic and the always steady Mattias Ekholm on defense.

The Oilers will be missing a couple of key players for Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden including Zach Hyman and Jake Walman. Hyman is the team’s top right winger and he is a pesky player who will go to the hard areas. Hyman is a big loss for the team, but he is expected back sometime in early November. Walman signed a seven-year extension worth seven million a season which is set to begin next season with the Oilers. He should round out their top four nicely with Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, and Darnell Nurse. Walman could be back as early as Thursday in Long Island for the Oilers.

Stuart Skinner will be in net for Edmonton on Tuesday. Skinner remains Edmonton’s starter entering the season and he gave up three goals in his lone start in an overtime defeat.

Igor Shesterkin will be back in goal for the Rangers and he has been their best player to open the new campaign. Shesterkin has stopped 83 of 85 shots to start the season including a shutout in Buffalo. According to Moneypuck.com, Shesterkin has saved seven goals above expected in just three games. Second place is Thatcher Demko of Vancouver with 4.4.

Carson Soucy will remain out of the lineup after suffering an injury after wildly missing a check. Jonny Brodzinski will play in his second game in place of Juuso Parssinen.