Daily Report – 1/7/25
Good afternoon,
Here is today’s report:
Rangers
Tonight at 7 PM on MSG, the Rangers will try to sweep the season series against the Dallas Stars in their 40th game of the season. Tonight is Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) Night at MSG, presented by Northwell. Jonathan Quick is seeking his 400th career win tonight, and he can become the 15th NHL goaltender and first American-born goaltender in the league to reach 400 wins.
Although he is no longer part of the team, the former Rangers captain Jacob Trouba is one of the NHL’s biggest open supporters of HFC, and he works with NHL public relations to help inform the hockey community about the resources available to get “body checked” for cancer.
From the Rangers website:
HFC Night works to unite the hockey community to support cancer patients and their families. The Rangers partner with the Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF) and Northwell to support those who are living with, going through, and moving past cancer. HFC Night also recognizes their caregivers and support system. The Rangers will have special experiences for children and families impacted by cancer featured at tonight’s game, and fans will be able to collect an “I Fight For” placard throughout MSG concourses, and they will be able to write the name of someone who has been impacted by cancer. HFC pins will be worn by the Rangers coaches and MSG Network personalities, as well.
Team USA won gold in World Juniors this week, and Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue were part of the effort. Perreault recorded 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in seven games, and Drew Fortescue registered four points (1 G, 3 A) in seven games.
There have been some injury updates on the Rangers that have resulted in a waiver wire acquisition. Chris Kreider has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Sunday with an upper-body injury (back spasms). He has been fighting back spasms all season, which has contributed to his bad play. The Rangers were able to make a solid claim off the waiver wire yesterday, claiming Arthur Kaliyev from the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers will play Kaliyev as soon as Thursday night, along with Matt Rempe (who will return from suspension), so Jonny Brodzinski will play tonight. Also, Igor Shesterkin participated in today’s practice.
With Kreider out, Colin Stephenson reported the first power play unit will feature Vincent Trocheck net-front, Mika Zibanejad in back, Artemi Panarin on the left, and Alexis Lafrenière on the right, with Adam Fox at the helm.
Blueshirts Injury Report:
1/7: LW Chris Kreider (upper body) has been placed on injured reserve
1/7: G Igor Shesterkin (upper body) participated in practice today
Blueshirts Transactions:
1/7: NYR recalled Matt Rempe from AHL Hartford Wolf Pack
1/6: NYR claimed Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from LAK
Knicks
Last night at the Garden, the Knicks fell to the Orlando Magic 103-84 in their worst offensive performance of the season. Both teams were riddled with injures coming into this matchup, but the bottom line was Orlando was probably more comfortable with a scrambled lineup than the Knicks were.
The fact of the matter is that because the Knicks do not have a reliable bench, Tom Thibodeau plays his starters for over 40 minutes in the toughest games. The Knicks have a big game coming up on Friday night against Oklahoma City, and their starters need to get healthy for it.
I do not want to over-analyze this loss, but not having Karl-Anthony Towns, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby pushing through injuries, deflated the Knicks offense entirely. They only made four three-point shots in this game, all of which came in the first half. And with all of that, the Knicks have lost three straight games.
In this game, Orlando had a biggest lead of 12 points while the Knicks only led by as many as seven points. The score was tied six times with nine lead changes and a longest run for eight.
The Knicks will host Toronto tomorrow night at the Garden.
Schedule:
7:00 PM: NYR vs. DAL; MSG
That will do it for this report. Enjoy the rest of your day.
