Despite taking part in the morning skate at UBS Arena on Tuesday, the New York Rangers’ lineup remains uncertain for their matchup against the New York Islanders. However, both Chris Kreider and Brennan Othmann could be included.
Much of the focus is on Kreider, who participated in warmups on Sunday in Pittsburgh but was ultimately sidelined for the Rangers’ 5-3 win over the Penguins due to an undisclosed injury. He skated Tuesday morning but stayed on the ice late with Arthur Kaliyev, suggesting he may still be a game-time decision.
Meanwhile, Othmann was called up from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack on Monday. If Kreider is unable to play, Othmann is expected to step in. However, head coach Peter Laviolette indicated that the 22-year-old forward could make the lineup regardless, possibly at the expense of Jonny Brodzinski or Jimmy Vesey.
“He’s preparing to play,” Laviolette said. “We’re still making some decisions. [Kreider] will be a game-time call.”
Othmann, the Rangers’ 2021 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), played three NHL games last season but has yet to make an appearance this year after missing over two months with an upper-body injury sustained in Hartford early in the season. He has been red-hot in the AHL lately, tallying nine goals and 12 points in his last 15 games, including two-goal performances on Feb. 12 against Bridgeport and again two games later against Charlotte. He ranked second on Hartford with 21 goals last season and has 12 goals and 20 points in 27 games this year.
“It’s great to see him back healthy and producing offensively,” Laviolette said last week. “Those are all positive signs for him.”
Kreider’s Injury and Trade Speculation
Kreider has battled back spasms throughout a difficult season, missing nine games—eight due to injury. Despite this, he remains tied for second on the team with 17 goals and ranks second in power-play goals with six, including one in Saturday’s 8-2 loss to Buffalo. His name has been frequently mentioned in trade rumors, though he still has two years remaining on his contract at $6.5 million per season.
Vesey, who replaced Kreider in the lineup on Sunday, made an impact by scoring the game-tying goal and assisting on Adam Fox’s game-winner in the third period. Kaliyev also played after initially seeming like a healthy scratch candidate.
Shesterkin vs. Sorokin
Igor Shesterkin, coming off a stellar 36-save performance against Pittsburgh, will once again start in goal for the Rangers. He will go head-to-head with his close friend Ilya Sorokin, who will be in net for the Islanders.
The Rangers (28-25-4) currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Islanders (25-24-7), who have a game in hand. The Blueshirts are just two points out of the second wild-card spot in the East.