The New York Rangers will visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night, with key forward Artemi Panarin's status uncertain due to illness. Both teams have released projected lineups ahead of the 8 p.m. ET puck drop, broadcast on FDSNMW and MSGSN. The Blues come off a 1-0 shutout win against the Winnipeg Jets.
The New York Rangers, holding a 16-15-4 record, face the St. Louis Blues, at 13-15-7, in a crucial Metropolitan Division matchup. This preview highlights lineup adjustments and injury updates for both sides.
For the Rangers, forward Artemi Panarin missed the morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision because of an illness. If he cannot play, forward Brennan Othmann, recently recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League along with Gabe Perreault, will enter the lineup. Defenseman Adam Fox skated in a non-contact jersey while dealing with an upper-body injury, and Adam Edstrom is sidelined with a lower-body issue. Scratches include Jonny Brodzinski, Urho Vaakanainen, and Othmann, pending Panarin's status.
The Rangers' projected forward lines are: Will Cuylle -- Vincent Trocheck -- J.T. Miller; Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Alexis Lafreniere; Conor Sheary -- Noah Laba -- Taylor Raddysh; and Gabe Perreault -- Sam Carrick -- Matt Rempe. On defense: Vladislav Gavrikov -- Braden Schneider; Carson Soucy -- Will Borgen; and Matthew Robertson -- Scott Morrow. Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick are the goaltending options.
The Blues, fresh from a 1-0 victory over the Jets on Wednesday where Justin Faulk scored the lone goal, held an optional morning skate. Jordan Binnington will start in net after Joel Hofer's recent three-game stint, including 24 saves in the shutout. Forward Matt Luff replaces Robby Fabbri, and defenseman Tyler Tucker steps in for Matthew Kessel.
Blues' projected lines: Alexey Toropchenko -- Robert Thomas -- Pavel Buchnevich; Jake Neighbours -- Brayden Schenn -- Otto Stenberg; Pius Suter -- Dalibor Dvorsky -- Jonatan Berggren; and Mathieu Joseph -- Oskar Sundqvist -- Matt Luff. Defense pairs: Philip Broberg -- Colton Parayko; Tyler Tucker -- Justin Faulk; and Cam Fowler -- Logan Mailloux.
Injuries plague the Blues as well: Jordan Kyrou (lower body), Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Nathan Walker (upper body), and Nick Bjugstad (upper body) are out. Notably, Kyrou, Snuggerud, and Walker skated before the optional session. Scratches are Kessel and Fabbri.
This game offers both teams a chance to build momentum in a competitive season.
