Rangers look to shock Preds still without Zibanejad

The New York Rangers are set to take on the Predators this afternoon at 2 PM in Nashville. They will look for a second consecutive win against the in-form Preds.

The bad news for the Rangers is that Mika Zibanejad is a day-to-day as he is bothered with an injury. He should sit out this afternoon's match after missing the Rangers' victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier this week.

Filip Chytil will play his second game for the Rangers as he stays in as the number one Center in lieu of Zibanejad. Chytil scored against the lightning in his first game this season and will be looking to get another one.

Overall, New York's lineup should be exactly identical to the one that faced the Lightning. D-man Brendan Smith will stay in on the 4th offensive line while goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will start a second game in a row ahead of Henrik Lundqvist.

Here is the projected lineup for the Rangers for today's game in Nashville according to NHL.com correspondent Robby Stanley:

Forwards:

Chris Kreider - Filip Chytil - Pavel Buchnevich

Artemi Panarin - Ryan Strome - Kaapo Kakko

Brendan Lemieux - Brett Howden - Jesper Fast

Greg McKegg - Lias Andersson - Brendan Smith

Defensemen:

Libor Hajek - Jacob Trouba

Brady Skjei - Tony DeAngelo

Marc Staal - Adam Fox

Goaltenders:

Alexandar Georgiev

Henrik Lundqvist

Veteran forward Michael Haley and defenseman Ryan Lindgren will be healthy scratches against the Predators. 

The Rangers will face the number one offense in the NHL so far this season in the Nashville Predators. They will have to play responsible, solid hockey if they hope to prevail.

It should be a great hockey game.