The Rangers two newest players, who just happen to be Swedish, will be making their Ranger debuts tonight. Each playing at the end of the lineup (Sjostrom playing right side with Betts and Hollweg, and Backman playing on the right side with Staal).. all the other lines remain intact.

I expect both of them (who are eager to play) will have strong debuts. Another Rangers’ player to look out for this evening will be Henrik Lundqvist, and how he reacts to this first game. Some might say it doesn’t matter, but I believe it will have an effect on Lundqvist to impress his former childhood friends that have just recently became a part of his team.

Expect a physical one tonight….

They scored 5 goals for the second time this season against the Panthers, last time being opening night.

Marek Malik had a goal and an assist.

Scott Gomez had a goal and two assists.

Martin Straka had a goal and an assist.

Henrik Lundqvist posted his 8th shutout of the year, in a 23-save performance.

Henrik is now behind to only one goaltender in the shutout column, that being Colombus’ prime stud, Pascal Leclaire, who sits at 9 shutouts, and is finally living up to his 1st round pick, and more-so, his potential…

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Lundqvist
2. Malik
3. Gomez

If it were up to me, it’d be

1. Gomez
2. Malik
3. Lundqvist

..but of course, it isn’t..

Anyway.. a three day break, yet again in this February month that saw a lot of well-needed downtime in-between games for the Rangers. Of course, at least this month, it’s only been beneficial, so why does it matter? I’ll tell you why. Ranger fans are bored

The next game will be Thursday the 28th vs the Southeast Division-Leading Carolina Hurricanes. The seasons series is currently 1-2-0 in favor of Carolina. The Rangers will look to even that series up come Thursday..

However, before then, is obviously the much anticipated Trade Deadline. The absolute deadline is Tuesday 3 P.M. EST.

I don’t think Sather will do anything at all, but if he does a minor deal, or a single deal, it’d probably be to upgrade the defensive core.

With Mara out an unknown amount of time, and Strudwick holding the fort.. you never know what can happen..