Chmelar has played his first five NHL games this season and will be a heatlhy scratch on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 22-year-old Czech forward is averaging 8:13 time-on-ice and has 12 hits this season.
Shesterkin has played well over the past month, but is coming off of one of his worst outings of the season, salvaging a 5-4 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens despite allowing four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%). The 29-year-old Shesterkin has a 2.53 GAA and .909 SV% in 26 games this season (13-10-3). The Rangers enter the action on Monday as -122 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks team that has been outscored 9-3 during a two-game losing skid.
After a subpar start to the season, the Rangers have seemingly turned a corner, with points in seven of their last eight games (5-1-2), and will turn to Shesterkin to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old Shesterking has been excellent lately, with quality starts in his last seven games (5-1-1), posting a 2.30 GAA and .923 SV%. He has a 2.46 GAA and .913 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-3). The Rangers enter Wednesday's contest as -135 road favorites against a Blackhawks team that has scored just six goals in its last four games (1-2-1).
Rempe has not played since October 23rd, injured in a fight with San Jose's Ryan Reaves, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Rempe had one goal and 30 hits in nine games with the Rangers before his injury.
Veteran defenseman Nick Leddy will draw back into San Jose's lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars, sending Iorio back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Iorio is still searching for his first point through eight games this season.
The Rangers will hand Shesterkin his league-leading 23rd start of the season when they travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Thursday. Shesterkin secured the victory in his last start, stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced in a 3-2 overtime win over the Stars on Tuesday. The former Vezina Trophy winner brings an 11-9-2 record and .912 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Rangers enter action at +115 on the money line.
Shakir Mukhamadullin will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Iorio to re-enter the lineup. Iorio was recently sent to the AHL for a conditioning loan, where has has seven points (0G / 7A) in six games with the San Jose Barracuda. The 23-year-old defenseman was drafted 55th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is still working on becoming a full-time NHLer with the Sharks.
The Rangers are a dreadful 2-8-1 on home ice this season and will turn to Shesterkin to tend the twine on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Shesterkin has played well lately, posting a 2.30 GAA and .921 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). He has a solid 2.48 GAA and .911 SV% in 21 games this season (10-9-2). That said, the Rangers enter the action on Tuesday as +114 home underdogs against a red-hot Stars team that only has one regulation loss in their last 12 games (10-1-1).
Edstrom has worked his way into a regular role in the Rangers' bottom-six, playing 24 of 27 games, but is being evaluated for a lower-body injury and will not play on Tuesday. The 25-year-old 6'7 forward has four points (2G / 2A) and 48 hits this season.
Edstrom has worked his way into a regular role in the Rangers' bottom-six, playing 24 of 27 games, but is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old 6'7 forward has four points (2G / 2A) and 48 hits this season.
