The New York Rangers are fighting for their playoff lives as they visit the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.
New York enters the game with 75 points, tied for the second and final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently sitting in the place as they have two games in hand.
While the Sharks are eliminated from the postseason, that hasn’t stopped head coach Ryan Warsofsky from getting his team to play like they are in a similar spot as the Rangers.
“It’s a similar mindset with Toronto the other night. Our start is crucial. We gotta make sure we’re skating.” Warsofsky said Saturday morning.
The Rangers are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Warsofsky expects the visitors to have a simple style game.
“We [have to make sure we are] playing a simple brand of hockey because that’s usually what you get from the opponent,” Warsofsky explained. “This is a team I know that’s fighting for their lives to get into the playoff spot. That’s a pretty obvious observation, so we got to make sure we’re ready for puck drop.”
Alexandar Georgiev will make his second straight start for the San Jose Sharks. He’s coming off a 30-save performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Peter Laviolette’s message is a stern one
As for the Rangers’ head coach, Peter Laviolette, he knows the Sharks are young but will put up a fight.
“I know that San Jose is capable. They’re young, fast, and skilled. [They are] a lot like Anaheim and capable of doing good things against any team. It doesn’t matter who you are, and that’s really the way the league is,” Laviolette said. “Our start is important. The ending is important. I can tell you that after last night as well. Our team knows that. Everybody knows that anybody can beat anybody on any given night.”
The Rangers have not been starting well recently. Despite being close to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers have a shot differential of -137 this season. That is the 26th worst differential in the league. Agaisnt the Vancouver Canucks On March 22, New York was outshot 39-12 but won the game 5-3. Vancouver held a shot advantage of 11-1 after the first period.
Former Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick will start against the Sharks in his 44th game overall vs San Jose.
Rangers’ impression of Macklin Celebrini
San Jose Sharks star rookie Macklin Celebrini didn’t record a point in the Nov. 14 matchup in New York but left an impression on Laviolette.
“Just got a lot of skill. [He is a] dangerous player,” Laviolette said.
Celebrini made some headlines as he stopped Igor Shesterkin from a chance at a goalie goal at the end of the game. Shesterkin provided social media with an all-time quote postgame.
Celebrini has nine points (three goals, six assists) in the last ten games. He’s been extremely dangerous offensively since William Eklund was moved to the same line with Will Smith.
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