Pluses, minuses for Rangers-Flyers, Hurricanes-Golden Knights

NHL Network and ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes will offer his thoughts for big games each week throughout the season.

The New York Rangers (34-17-9) visit the Philadelphia Flyers (23-28-10) at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, TVAS, MSG2, SN NOW). Then the Carolina Hurricanes (39-11-8) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (35-19-6) at T-Mobile Arena (10 p.m. ET; TNT, TVAS, SN1).
Here's my breakdown of the games.

Rangers

Pluses: Although he won't make Rangers debut until Thursday, forward Patrick Kane was traded to New York on Tuesday to bolster its already strong offense. After acquiring forward Vladimir Tarasenko on Feb. 9, and already having Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck, the trade for Kane gives New York an explosive top six. Although goalie Igor Shesterkin had allowed at least three goals in each of his previous seven games before a 5-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, he's given New York a chance to win every night.
Minuses: The Rangers had lost four in a row before the win against the Kings, scoring a total of seven goals in those four games, so Kane should definitely help the offense. However, they will be without defenseman K'Andre Miller for the next three games because of a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. Also, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who is a warrior, didn't play against the Kings because of an upper-body injury sustained Saturday against the Washington Capitals. His status is unclear, so New York could be down two defensemen, and may have to play with four defensemen, like it did against the Kings after Miller got a match penalty.

Flyers

Pluses: It hasn't been the season the Flyers envisioned when they hired John Tortorella as coach, but they have been playing hard, and younger guys have gotten a chance to show what they can do. Forward Travis Konecny, who was having a career season with a team-leading 27 goals and 54 points in 52 games, will be out at least three weeks with an upper-body injury.
Minuses: Sometimes it's hard to focus when there's trade talk. Forwards James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes are two of the players who could be dealt prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday at 3 p.m. ET. The Flyers have lost three straight and 11 of 14 and haven't won consecutive games since a three-game streak from Jan. 9-14. They rank last on the power play (15.6 percent) which explains why they're 29th in goals scored per game (2.62).

Hurricanes

Pluses: Despite a 3-2 home loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, the Hurricanes are still one of the best teams in the NHL. Goalies Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta have been great, Carolina has one of the best groups of defensemen in the League and have tremendous depth at forward. The Hurricanes added to that depth Tuesday by acquiring Jesse Puljujarvi in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Martin Necas has had a breakout season, already with NHL career highs in goals (23), assists (29) and points (52) in 58 games.
Minuses: To me, they have no minuses. They're well balanced, play as well at home (21-7-2) as they do on the road (18-4-6) and haven't had many bad stretches this season.

Golden Knights

Pluses: First-year coach Bruce Cassidy has done a great job with Vegas after it missed the playoffs last season. Jack Eichel has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past eight games after having one assist in his previous nine games. Overall, the Golden Knights have been one of the better defensive teams in the League and have done it offensively by committee; Vegas has 11 players with at least 10 goals and 11 with at least 20 points.
Minuses: They have lost two straight and three of four and are without captain Mark Stone, and goalies Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit. After playing the Hurricanes on Wednesday, they host the New Jersey Devils on Friday, Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, then go on a five-game road trip to Florida, Tampa Bay, Carolina, St. Louis and Philadelphia. They had a nice lead early in the season but enter Wednesday tied with the Los Angeles Kings for first in the Pacific Division.