Schneider missed the final two games of the regular season and had been playing through the shoulder injury, and wanted to address it before the 2025-26 season. He already underwent surgery, so he's expected to be in training camp in the spring.
Vaakanainen will dress in the Rangers season finale after Carson Soucy was a late scratch due to illness. Vaakanainen has two goals and 14 assists in 50 games this season.
Soucy was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Rangers not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Urho Vaakanainen will draw into the lineup in his place.
The Rangers will conclude a disappointing 2024-25 season with Shesterkin tending the twine against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While the blame is not entirely on him, Shesterkin failed to keep his team in playoff contention when they needed him most, posting an ugly 3.64 GAA and .865 SV% in five April games (2-3-0). The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.91 GAA and .903 SV% in 60 games this season (26-29-5). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Lightning team with points in six straight (3-0-3).
Zac Jones will draw back into New York's lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers, resulting in Vaakanainen being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Vaakanainen is averaging 16:22 time-on-ice and has 16 points (2G / 14A) in 50 games this season.
Carrick will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Florida Panthers, missing only his second game of the season. The 33-year-old Carrick is averaging 11:54 time-on-ice and has 20 points (6G / 14A) in 79 games this season.
Othmann did not play New York's previous game, but he will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 9:46 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 20 games this season.
Perreault played the first three games of his NHL career and was subsequently a scratch in two straight, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers. The 19-year-old Perreault has zero points, four shots, and -1 plus/minus rating.
Urho Vaakanainen will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Florida Panthers, allowing Jones to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Jones has not played since April 9th and has 11 points (1G / 10A) in 44 games this season.
Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Rangers will turn to Quick between the pipes on Monday against the Florida Panthers. Quick has struggled lately, allowing six or more goals in two of his last three games (1-2-0). The 39-year-old veteran netminder has a 3.18 GAA and .893 SV% in 23 games this season (10-7-2). The Rangers enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against the Panthers.
Jones will sit out in order to make way for the return of K'Andre Miller (illness). Jones has one goal and ten assists in 44 games this season.
Miller will draw back into the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's game against the Flyers. Zac Jones will sit in his place.
Parssinen will look to provide a spark on Thursday for the tail-end of New York's back-to-back. Brennan Othmann will sit in his place.
Othmann will take a seat on Thursday for the tail-end of New York's back-to-back. Juuso Parssinen will draw into the lineup in his place.
With only four games remaining, the Rangers effectively squandered their slim hopes of making the playoffs after a disappointing 8-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night. The Rangers needed Shesterkin at his best for any hopes of making the playoffs, and he responded with an uninspiring 3.70 GAA and .820 SV% in three April games (1-2-0). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as +109 road underdogs against the New York Islanders.
Miller will not return to the lineup despite taking full part in warmups on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 25-year-old Miller is averaging 21:59 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 70 games this season.
