When they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in a featured matchup that’ll be shown on the NHL On TNT as part of a doubleheader, which will also include the New Jersey Devils getting their first look at the new and improved Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, the New York Rangers will look to stay hot on a two-game road trip which concludes on Saturday at the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Despite getting shut out twice in home defeats to the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders, the Rangers have won five of their last seven games. That included a satisfying 6-3 blowout victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday for their first win at Madison Square Garden. It was the eighth time that they’ve scored at least three goals. When they have, their record is 7-0-1, with seven of the eight wins coming on the road.

For the Blueshirts, they’re finally healthy thanks to Vincent Trocheck returning and posting two assists on Nov. 10. The key center was back between familiar line mates Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. Facing a struggling opponent that looked completely lost, the cohesive trio combined for seven points in the victory. Lafreniere had his best game of the season by scoring his third goal and adding two assists for a three-point effort that resulted in him being named the game’s first star. Panarin looked more like himself scoring twice for his first two-goal game in 2025-26.

Rookie Gabe Perreault recorded his first career point when he picked up the primary helper on a Lafreniere power-play goal. The 2023 first round pick had a good game while fitting in nicely with Mika Zibanejad (breakaway goal) and J.T. Miller. If they can get Miller going, that would go a long way to the team having success. Miller enters Wednesday night without a point in four with his last goal coming in an overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 30.

The Rangers captain has only three goals and five assists in 17 games. Although the offensive struggles haven’t affected him on faceoffs (59.0 pct.), he simply isn’t doing enough to justify his contract. When he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks, Miller was brought in to solidify the team at center. In 32 games, he tallied 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points last season. That’s the kind of production they need from him. A no-nonsense player who doesn’t make excuses following losses, he has to start playing better. There have been too many shifts where he hasn’t been noticeable. Hopefully, both Zibanejad and Perreault can provide a spark for Miller.

When they face the Lightning, the Rangers should have an edge due to being at full strength. Despite winning seven of eight, Tampa Bay comes in with several players banged up. Former Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh was placed on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. He’s still a steady player on the back end for the Bolts.

Both Victor Hedman and Anthony Cirelli are questionable for tonight. Hedman hasn’t missed a game, but he’s considered day-to-day. Cirelli didn’t play on Nov. 8 against the Washington Capitals. He’s dealing with an upper-body injury. For the Lightning, they had the last three days off. The rest should help both Hedman and Cirelli. Expect them to be game-time decisions.

Nick Paul (UBI) hasn’t played yet this season. A key cog down the middle, Paul has gone over 20 goals and 40 points the past two years. He is doubtful for Wednesday night.

Max Crozier has missed the last two games due to an injury. His status is uncertain. Dominic James is out after being placed on the IR yesterday. Pontus Holmberg is questionable.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper indicated that he has no idea what to expect for the lineup due to players’ availability. The Bolts have recalled Boris Katchouk and Scott Sabourin from the Syracuse Crunch.

Despite all the uncertainty, the Lightning are still led by Nikita Kucherov. After getting out of the gate slowly, he has four points (3-1-4) over the previous three games. Jake Guentzel leads the team in scoring with 15 points (6-9-15). He remains very effective in front of the net. Guentzel enters the game with five points (2-3-5) in four.

Brandon Hagel (7-7-14) continues to produce for the Lightning. He leads them with six even strength goals. Brayden Point is off to a bad start with only three goals and six helpers for nine points. He’s usually someone who does damage. In 22 career games versus the Rangers, Point is 12-14-26.

Oliver Bjorkstrand enters with just a single goal and four assists. A streaky scorer, he has a dangerous shot. Yanni Gourde has three goals and a helper so far.

If Hedman can go, it would be a big boost. He leads the Lightning with 12 assists.

The Rangers will start Igor Shesterkin. In 11 regular season meetings, Shesterkin brings a 7-3-1 record with a 2.26 goals-against-averge, .924 save percentage, and two shutouts versus the Lightning.

He’ll be opposed by Andrei Vasilevskiy. In 17 games, Vasilevskiy is 7-8-2 with a 2.75 GAA and .915 save percentage against the Blueshirts. It’s an all-Russian matchup that features two of the game’s best goalies.

The Rangers will have one tweak to their lines. Conor Sheary moves up to the third line to play with Noah Laba and Will Cuylle. That means Taylor Raddysh (5 goals) slides down with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom. Sheary will also replace Raddysh on the second power play unit. Why? For reasons only known to head coach Mike Sullivan. Raddysh is a better offensive player than Sheary. I don’t get the logic. Maybe we’re not supposed to.

The game will start after 7 PM.