It’s official. Keith Kinkaid will get the start when the Rangers face the Penguins in a rematch tonight.

Coach David Quinn confirmed that Kinkaid would get the opportunity after relieving Alex Georgiev (3 goals allowed on 6 shots) in a disappointing 5-1 loss on Sunday night. Kinkaid played well after coming in. He allowed two late goals with both coming on odd-man rushes. But made 16 saves on 18 shots.

For the prideful 31-year old from Farmingville, New York, it’s a chance to prove he still belongs in the NHL. A veteran with 158 games including 137 starts underneath his belt, his best run came during ’17-18 when he carried the Devils to the playoffs. Kinkaid won a career high 26 games and posted a 2.77 GAA with a .913 save percentage in 41 appearances (38 starts).

Even though he couldn’t duplicate the success he had that season, Kinkaid was a popular teammate in the locker room due to his personality. He also would entertain fans with his unique tweets following wins which included emojis describing who had good games.

After spending six years in the Devils organization, Kinkaid was part of the Canadiens in ’19-20. Although it didn’t go well with him struggling in five starts, the Rangers signed him as insurance for Hartford.

With the injury to starter Igor Shestyorkin, Kinkaid will make his Rangers debut as a starting goalie tonight at a special start time after 6 PM in Pittsburgh. It’s an opponent he knows well. Kinkaid has had success versus the Pens posting a 6-3-2 career record as a starter. That included going 6-1-1 as a Devil between ’17-18 and ’18-19.

Can he produce similar results as a Blueshirt with Shestyorkin on the mend and Georgiev needing to find his game? We’ll find out soon enough.

There could be more lineup changes for the game. At the moment, nothing has been revealed. If there is, expect Colin Blackwell to return. For who remains to be seen. The Rangers are more effective with him in the lineup. On Sunday, they played one of their worst games. Coincidence?

Either way, they’ll be searching for their second win against the Pens in six meetings. They enter play 1-2-2 thus far. The final two match-ups are April 6-8 at MSG next month.