Marc Staal makes a big return from injury ahead of matchup against the Canadiens

The Rangers got a hard-earned victory in Columbus yesterday by a score of 3-2 after Alexandar Georgiev literally stole the show by making 45 saves on 47 shots. They look to keep the momentum going tonight with another win over the Montreal Canadiens whom they will host at the Garden tonight. The last time the Rangers faced the Canadiens, they completed an incredible comeback from 4-0 down to get the win. New York will look for more tonight.

Despite playing yesterday and having his net bombarded during the whole game, Georgiev will once again start tonight. He continues to consolidate his position as the number one goaltender in New York ahead of Henrik Lundqvist.

Defenseman Libor Hajek is ruled out for tonight's game with a knee sprain. The Rangers announced earlier today that he would be out for 3 to 4 weeks The good news is that Marc Staal will return to the lineup tonight after being out with an injury for an extended period. He will take Hajek's spot alongside Tony DeAngelo on the 2nd defensive pair.

Greg McKegg is also returning from injury and will replace Boo Nieves who was sent back down to Hartford on the 4th offensive line. Kaapo Kakko will maintain his role on the first offensive line with Mika Zibanejad and Brendan Lemieux.

Here is the Rangers' projected lineup for tonight's game against the Canadiens according to NHL.com staff writer, David Satriano:

Forwards:

Brendan Lemieux - Mika Zibanejad - Kaapo Kakko

Artemi Panarin - Ryan Strome - Chris Kreider

Jesper Fast - Filip Chytil - Pavel Buchnevich

Greg McKegg - Brett Howden - Brendan Smith

Defensemen:

Brady Skjei - Jacob Trouba

Marc Staal - Tony DeAngelo

Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox

Goaltenders:

Alexandar Georgiev

Henrik Lundqvist

Michael Haley will be the healthy scratch tonight. Libor Hajek is out with an injury.