It seems as though the Rangers and Devils have a similar plan ahead of today's contest against each other.
With the trade deadline at 3 p.m. E.T. on Monday, both teams have decided to sit out players as a means to protect them from injury in possible trade negotiations.
MORE: NHL trade tracker 2019: Rumors, completed deals as deadline nears
The Rangers are sidelining center Kevin Hayes (14 goals, 28 assists), right wing Mats Zuccarrello (11 goals, 26 assists) and defenseman Adam McQuaid (two goals, three assists).
The Devils will be benching Marcus Johansson (12 goals, 15 assists).
New York and New Jersey are in the basement of the Metropolitan Division and are certainly sellers at the deadline. Teams vying for a playoff spot are always looking for missing pieces to add towards a final push in the quest for a Stanley Cup. The four players mentioned above are enticing to a number of clubs given their skillsets and the depth they provide to teams.
MORE: NHL trade rumors: Could the Devils be ready to move Marcus Johansson?
Both teams have already made moves. The Devils shipped out Brian Boyle and Ben Lovejoy. The Rangers have been busy as well, as they sent Marek Mazanec and Cody McLeod for seventh-round draft picks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft to the Canucks and Predators, respectively.
Each team could be making more deals soon.