The anticipated debut of Morgan Barron is finally here but it will come the Rangers fighting of their playoff lives (7:00 P.M. ET, MSG).

               With the most important game of the season on Thursday night, the Rangers put up a dud performance and were defeated 4-0. This game resembled shades of opening night where the Rangers took an alarming 4-0 defeat where they were outplayed from start to finish. Thursday night was no different and now the Rangers playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread. Rangers are seven points back of the Islanders and the Islanders would clinch a playoff birth with a win against the Blueshirts. Should the Rangers lose, the only way to get into the playoffs would be by winning every game and the Boston Bruins losing every remaining game in regulation.

               On Thursday’s game, Ryan Lindgren suffered an upper-body injury after taking a nasty collision with the stanchion. Lindgren is considered day-to-day and is likely unavailable.  Tarmo Reunanen was recalled from Hartford and could play in his second career game. Jacob Trouba is still listed as day-to-day and his status is not certain for Saturday night. Reunanen recorded an assist in his only NHL game against the Flyers.

               Brett Howden suffered a fractured ankle after blocking a shot on Thursday. Howden will miss the rest of the season for the Rangers.

               With Howden going down, the Rangers called up Morgan Barron who will make his anticipated NHL debut. The 22-year-old was a sixth-round pick in 2017 and has recorded 21 points in 21 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack this season. Barron is 6’4 who is responsible on both ends of the ice.

               “Not only does he have the size, but his skating is very good for someone that size,” said associate general manager Chris Drury last April to the New York Post. “His hockey sense is terrific, his competitiveness, and he’s got a great shot.”

               “He’s certainly playing with a lot more confidence,” said head coach David Quinn. “I thought that was something he had to get back in his game during training camp and early on in Hartford.”

               “Islander Killer” Alex Georgiev will get the start for the Rangers. Georgiev has been second favored to Shesterkin and Quinn will turn to the 25-year-old to slay the team he has been dominant against. Georgiev is 2-0 vs the Islanders this year and has allowed just one goal on 55 shots. Georgiev has won his past three starts as he regains form.

               Chris Kreider was unavailable on Thursday and he also remains day-to-day. Kreider’s status is uncertain as he could miss his second straight game.

Projected Lineup

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Buchnevich

Panarin-Strome-Kravtsov

Blackwell-Chytil-Kakko

Barron-Rooney-Gauthier

Hajek-Fox

Miller-Jones

Reunanen-Smith

Georgiev