This was supposed to be the game where the New York Rangers allowed Ondrej Pavelec have his return to his former stomping grounds to play his former team the Winnipeg Jets. Alas, Pavelec is injured so there is no return of the chosen son.
The Rangers have had a very tough year and the Jets have not. They have announced they are entering a rebuild and they have started moving on from players, at least emotionally. The Jets have already been rebuilt and seem poised for contention. They are ready to face the ways of the NHL and today is simply another stop for them.
Matt Hendricks returns to action, Marko Dano is scratched, and Michael Hutchinson is on IR. Today would have been the perfect game to give Connor Hellebuyck a rest for because the Rangers are bad and not a high scoring team. Even if they get a couple goals, they Jets can more than likely make them up.
Winnipeg Jets Lineup:
This afternoon's projected lineup presented by @RedRiverMutual | @bsi_insurance.
Hellebuyck starts in goal.
*Lineup subject to change* pic.twitter.com/gg6bwDBfsR
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) February 11, 2018
New York Rangers:
Rick Nash/Mika Zibanejad/Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner/Kevin Hayes/J.T. Miller
Jimmy Vesey/David Desharnais/Jesper Fast
Cody McLeod/Peter Holland/Vinni Lettieri
Brady Skej/Steve Kampfer
Nick Holden/Anthony DeAngelo
John Gilmour/Neal Poink
Henrik Lundqvist
Prediction: Jets win and Lundqvist stares down five teammates.
