The New York Rangers are set to hit the ice this afternoon in a highly anticipated matchup against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden. With the bright lights of Broadway shining on two teams navigating major transitions, this promises to be one of the most intriguing games of the season.

The Aftermath of a Blockbuster Trade

Today’s game will offer the Rangers a front-row seat to the fallout from the league-shaking trade that sent Avalanche superstar Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. In exchange, Colorado acquired Jack Drury, Martin Necas, and a package of draft picks. While the trade has left many questioning Colorado’s direction, the Avalanche remain a formidable threat, powered by elite talents like Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.

For the Rangers to avoid a repeat of their loss in Denver, they’ll need goaltender Igor Shesterkin to rise to the occasion and shut down Colorado’s high-powered offense.

Spotlight on Will Borgen

On the Rangers’ side, all eyes will be on defenseman Will Borgen, who will take the ice fresh off signing his five-year contract extension. Borgen has thrived alongside J.T. Miller on the second pairing and will be expected to continue his strong play as the Rangers aim to secure another two points.

Projected Lineups

Colorado Avalanche

Forwards: Jonathan Drouin – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas

Juuso Parssinen – Casey Mittelstadt – Artturi Lehkonen

Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Logan O’Connor

Joel Kiviranta – Parker Kelly – Chris Wagner

Defensemen: Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Samuel Girard – Josh Manson

Keaton Middleton – Sam Malinski

Goaltenders: Scott Wedgewood, Mackenzie Blackwood

New York Rangers

Forwards: Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafrenière

Will Cuylle – Mika Zibanejad – Reilly Smith

Chris Kreider – Filip Chytil – Arthur Kaliyev

Adam Edström – Sam Carrick – Matt Rempe

Defensemen: Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox

K’Andre Miller – Will Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen – Braden Schneider

Goaltenders: Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick

Puck Drop

The matinee matchup kicks off at 1 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. The Avalanche are coming off a tough loss to the Bruins in Boston last night and appear to be feeling the effects of the Rantanen trade. Both Nathan MacKinnon and head coach Jared Bednar sounded deflated in postgame interviews, leaving the Rangers with a golden opportunity to capitalize on a vulnerable opponent.

If the Blueshirts can maintain the high level of play they’ve displayed recently, they’ll be well-positioned to walk away with the win this afternoon.