The Rangers are set to take on the Nashville Predators, but winger Reilly Smith won't be in the lineup. The pending free agent is in his first year with New York, but those days are numbered.
The Avalanche, along with the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, and others, are believed to be interested in New York Islanders Brock Nelson if they decide to trade the pending UFA. The Fourth Period: The New York Rangers held forward Reilly Smith out of the lineup Sunday. He carries a $3.75 million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list.
The Rangers and Islanders are both chasing the wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. They meet Monday with a chance to gain ground.