Game changing news strikes the Rangers vs Panthers game moments before puck drop

The New York Rangers are 37-36-7 and 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They will be able to slot in young players tonight, as their playoff hopes have been dashed only a season after winning the President's Trophy.

For the Panthers though, Paul Maurice has made a questionable decision for the team, as before the game he decided to scratch some of the team's best players.

Those players were Brad Marchand, Anton Lundell, Matt Kiersted, and Eetu Luostarinen.

A puzzling decision for a team who needs to keep their players fresh. Instead of these veterans, and one rookie playing tonight they'll get their reps in with goalie Roberto Luongo.

Given that the Panthers weren't going to miss the playoffs, it would stand to reason to give some of your players a breather. But someone like Brad Marchand, whose only returned from injury so soon, does he really need load management?

Regardless, the Panthers will look remarkably different tonight.

The Florida Panthers are 47-29-4, and 3rd in a tight Atlantic Division where the best team at the moment, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They sit two spots behind the Maple Leafs and Lightning and are looking to defend their last Stanley Cup win in 2024 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Like the Rangers, Paul Maurice has opted to give his depth players some time on the ice tonight. Jesper Boqvist, Jesse Pujuljarvi, and Rasmus Asplund will get some meaningful time on the ice as the regular season concludes.

This would be an example of where the Rangers can come away with a good moral victory tonight. It won't solve their organizational issues, but it will be good for the team as a whole if they can defeat a Stanley Cup contender loaded with 3rd-liners tonight.