Opponent: Ottawa Senators (7-7-1)

Leading Scorer: Jason Spezza (6-9-15)

Goaltender: Craig Anderson (3.50 GAA, .890 SV%)

Rangers Projected Lines:

Ruslan Fedotenko-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Sean Avery-Erik Christensen-Andre Deveaux

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Mike Sauer
Jeff Woywitka-Steve Eminger

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Scratches/Injuries: Marc Staal (concussion symptoms), Mike Rupp (knee), Wojtek Wolski (groin), Anton Stralman (healthy)

Scouting Report:  The last time the Rangers played the Senators, the Rangers blew a 4-1 lead in the third period en route to a 5-4 loss in the shootout. That was the Zenon Konopka game, where he hit Artem Anisimov cleanly, but still received a major/match penalty. The Rangers scored twice on that ensuing powerplay. The Senators still won the game despite the bad call.

The Sens, as Suit mentioned last time, play a 1-2-2 hybrid trap system. The best counter is an effective dump and chase, where the Rangers get the puck deep, cycle the puck around, and get scoring chances from that cycle. However, that doesn’t mean the Senators can’t turn it up a notch when needed, like they did the last time these two teams met.

The key for the Rangers is playing a full 60 minutes, which they did not do in that previous loss, but have been doing in their four game win streak. The Senators are a beatable team with poor goaltending. A hard forecheck, as described above, and a consistent effort wiill win this game.

Crazy Thought: Dubinsky gets a hat trick.

Opponent’s Blog: Silver Seven

Today’s game is on at 7:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM92.

Share: 

More About: