What to expect from the Rangers and Connor McDavid

The Edmonton Oilers were picked by The Hockey News Yearbook to finish first in the Pacific Division.

At the rate Connor McDavid, Inc. is heading to, they will be lucky to finish first in the American Hockey League. Edmonton hockey critics are unhappy.

The Edmonton Sun calls the team “mediocre”.

Mark Spector, veteran SportsNet Oilers correspondent, gave the club’s goalie an “F” grade, as in failure.

Right wing Zach Hyman, who scored 54 goals last season, has a total of three red lights. Big deal free agent signing lefty Jeff Skinner has the same goal as a goose egg.

“We’re getting better,” says veteran right wing Corey Perry. “It’s a long season.”

Which means the Rangers have a good chance to end their road trip tonight at Rogers Place with a W after the one-goal loss in Calgary.

Apologists in Calgary for losing goaltender Igor Shesterkin blame the overwhelming shooting advantage enjoyed by the Flames for New York’s loss.

In the 3-2 loss, Iggy blew the first goal and the game winner. On the opener, Shesty reflexively went down as the puck went up and over him.

By rights – his last two consecutive shutouts – Jonathan Quick should start tonight. Then again, coach Peter Laviolette could select Shesterkin on the grounds that a declining Oilers team could boost Iggy’s confidence.

A sure way for Rangers to win is by scoring the first goal.

Out of ten games, the Blueshirts record is 10-0-0 when their lamplighters go that way. The solution is there.