The Rangers Will Attempt To Win A Game Without Matt Rempe

The Rangers game today at The Garden starts at 12:30 but for the Blueshirts it's going to be "High Noon" or, if you prefer, "Gunfight At The OK Corral."

Incredible though it may seem, Peter Laviolette's team is fighting for its playoff life after plummeting from its high, precious NHL treetop nest in October.

"Apart from Buffalo," says The Old Scout, "the competition here in the East is tougher than ever. Philly is winning; Pittsburgh is surprising; Washington is amazing – and look at New Jersey – better than ever."

Forget the Devils; that challenge comes tomorrow in Newark. The Troublesome Hurricanes are at MSG today and unless Lavvy suffers a sudden case of amnesia, Igor Shesterkin will start in goal.

Igor was so-so-so efficient against the Stars, It would have been perfectly natural for the American Airlines Center' scorer to announce: "First Star, Shesterkin; also second and third star."

Coming off weeks of dissension talk, the Kappo Kakko trade and assorted other mishagahs, the Rangers can reinforce the confidence gained from Shesty's effort as well as A-1 penalty-killing.

"(Vincent) Trocheck has awakened," adds The Old Scout, "and they'll always get a good effort out of the kids (Will) Cuylle and (Brett) Berard. But (Alexis) Lafreniere had better get going again."

Since signing his new, fat contract on October 28, the former Number One Draft choice has been less visible than The Phantom of the Opera.

That cannot be tolerated on a team that suddenly finds itself groping to hang around the .500 mark.

Then again, if Shesterkin puts on another All-Three-Star performance, worry will be a futile gesture!