Unless you have been living under a rock, Monday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks has been circled on most New York Rangers fans calendars since the schedule was announced this summer. Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba make their first return to MSG as members of a visiting team, while Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano are back as well (same potentially with Pat Verbeek). New York comes into the contest off a big home OT win Saturday against Montreal.
If you need me to point out all that Kreider meant to the team and the city, you aren’t a true fan. Third overall in goals for the franchise. Tied for first in power-play goals. First in playoff goals. If he had stayed as a Ranger, his number most certainly would have been hanging in the rafters when his career ended – and still might.
Those who are happy Kreider is gone viewed his presence as a major detriment last season and felt he was a chemistry issue. The myriad of injuries he had last season significantly adversely affected his performance. He has notched 13 goals already this season, which would lead the Rangers. I prefer to remember this highlight from the playoff clincher in 2024 against the Hurricanes when Kreider scored a natural hat trick to win the game.
Mika Zibanejad will not play tonight. He missed a team meeting, and the consequences are he is a healthy scratch. We all know how close Mika and Kreider are. Supposition, at least in the court that is known as Twitter, is that Mika missed the meeting on purpose so that he would not have to face Kreider on the ice. To me, this sounds like a stretch and also seems like a draconian penalty for missing one team meeting.
Matt Rempe, out since October 23 with a likely broken thumb, has a good chance to play tonight. He is a game-time decision and would slot back into the fourth line if he plays. Jaroslav Chmelar is projected to be a healthy scratch with Jonny Brodzinski in place of Mika. My hope is that Rempe is smart and doesn’t fight just to fight, especially against Jacob Trouba if anything arises.
The Rangers have a brutal week. Five games in seven days. Anaheim and Vancouver at home today and tomorrow. Fly to St Louis to play the Blues on Thursday. Home Saturday against Philly and then another back-to-back in Nashville on Sunday night. Three games at home, two on the road with a pair of back-to-back contests.
So he missed a meeting and is now a scratch?? Has to be more to this.