NY Rangers projected lineup: Last chance to keep first-place dream alive

To distinguish their line combinations at practice, the New York Rangers divide their frontwards into five different color jerseys — white, grayness, green, red and orange. (Blueish is reserved for the defensemen.)

Typically, there are iii forwards wearing each colour, with those in orange the probable scratches for the upcoming game. Only Monday's do at the MSG Training Middle in Tarrytown had an interesting wrinkle. There was one group featuring four forwards, with Filip Chytil, Barclay Goodrow, Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafrenière each wearing green.

It doesn't accept a degree in mathematics to figure out that'southward one likewise many, calculation to the intrigue about what caput passenger vehicle Gerard Gallant will practise for Game 1 when the first round of the NHL playoffs begin side by side week.

"It’s a great trouble to have," Gallant said. "Going into the playoffs with hopefully a healthy team. It’s getting closer."

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He knocked on the table in forepart of him earlier saying "healthy squad," an acquittance that the Rangers have dodged a few notable scares.

There was a sense of relief throughout the organisation to see Chytil, Kakko and Andrew Copp on the ice Mon. They all sustained injuries in the waning days of the regular flavour, but each appears to be minor.

Kakko'south season has been marred by ailments, particularly a 31-game absenteeism stemming from what was believed to be left-wrist injury. He's missed three additional games since having his correct leg twisted during the April 16 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Chytil and Copp both suffered injuries in Thursday'south 6-three win over the Islanders — upper body for Chytil and lower body for Copp — but announced poised to render later missing just ane game.

Gallant labeled all three as "game-time decisions" for Tuesday'southward 7 p.m. game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden, noting that "100% (health) is more important than a couple games." But if Mon'south practice was any indication — it usually is — then Chytil and Copp volition be in the lineup and Kakko volition get at least one more than twenty-four hours to heal.

When the Rangers bankrupt into v-on-five drills, Copp was in his usual place alongside Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome while Chytil skated with Goodrow and Lafrenière. Kakko watched from the demote and besides did not participate during special teams work later in practice, leaving the fourth line of Dryden Hunt, Kevin Rooney and Ryan Reaves intact.

It wouldn't exist a surprise to encounter Kakko rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's seven p.m. domicile game confronting the Montreal Canadiens, but even then we may not find out which tertiary-line trio Gallant prefers. That's considering the Hurricanes can clinch first place in the Metro Division with a win Tuesday, which would lock the Rangers in as the runner-upwards and diminish the importance of their last two games. And if that happens, there'south at to the lowest degree a decent risk Gallant will rest sure players against the Habs on the second night of back-to-backs.

"I’thousand not looking ahead," Gallant said. "I’thousand looking at (Tuesday) dark."

Fair enough.

If the Rangers beat out Carolina, their division hopes will remain dimly alive.

Their all-time adventure would come up if they followed with wins over Montreal on Wednesday and the Washington Capitals on Friday, then got some help from their New Jersey rival on Thursday. If the Devils either beat the Canes or lose in overtime or a shootout, the Rangers would capture their kickoff division championship since 2014-15.

There is one other scenario in which the Blueshirts end up in first. If they go 2-0-1 and Carolina goes 0-2, they would finish at 113 points while the Canes would be stuck on 112.

It's a long shot — moneypuck.com puts the odds at 6.viii% — but it volition add significance to Tuesday'southward clash. As for Gallant's plans for his lesser-six forwards, that's a question that could linger for at least a few more days.

"First identify is manifestly upward for grabs, only first or second identify, you’ve yet got home ice," forward Frank Vatrano said. "For us, plainly, getting first would be great. But we’ve got to win hockey games anyhow. So, wherever we end upwardly in the standings, wherever we play, we’re going to exist happy wherever nosotros are."

NY Rangers projected lineup: Game 80 vs. Hurricanes

When:
Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m.

Where:
Madison Square Garden

TV/Radio:
MSG Network/98.7 FM

Forwards

First line
→ Chris Kreider (LW) • Mika Zibanejad (C) • Frank Vatrano (RW)

2nd line
→ Artemi Panarin (LW) • Ryan Strome (C) • Andrew Copp (RW)

Tertiary line
→ Alexis Lafrenière (LW) • Filip Chytil (C) • Barclay Goodrow (RW)

Fourth lin
e
→ Dryden Hunt (LW) • Kevin Rooney (C) • Ryan Reaves (RW)

Defense

Elevation pair
→ Ryan Lindgren (Fifty) • Adam Fox (R)

Second pair
→ Thousand'Andre Miller (L) • Jacob Trouba (R)

Tertiary pair
→ Patrik Nemeth (L) • Braden Schneider R)

Goalies

Starter
→ Igor Shesterkin

Backup
→ Alexandar Georgiev

Good for you scratches:
Justin Braun (F), Jonny Brodzinski (F), Julien Gauthier (F),
Libor Hájek (D) and Greg McKegg (F)

Injured:
Sammy Blais (right ACL), Kaapo Kakko (lower trunk) and Tyler Motte (upper body)

Note: This lineup is subject field to change

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers trounce reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more than of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.