Standings: Bruins (30-13-1), Rangers (29-12-4)

Leading Scorer: Tyler Seguin (17-23-40)

Goaltender: Tim Thomas (29 GS, 2.02 GAA, .940 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell-Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start today.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy)

Suit’s take: The dog days of the NHL season are upon us folks. The Winter Classic is in our rear-view mirror and the playoffs are still a ways away. Despite the Rangers recent struggles (if you can even call it that), I personally still see the good in this team and I believe the Rangers can beat anybody with the personnel they have. They’re not perfectly built, but neither are the Bruins, who we will see today for the first time this season.

The Bruins are built in a similar fashion as the Rangers starting with great goaltending, a great shutdown defense, and a balanced offense. Tactically, the Bruins are a bit different. They execute lead-based trapping using the 1-4 or 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck. However, if they don’t have the lead, they will send their power forwards in deep to play the body and force turnovers much like we do.

Special teams-wise, their team also supports a mediocre power play and an excellent penalty kill. These games can really go either way and I expect a close game.

*Side note, I wouldn’t get too caught up in the line permutations that are likely to take place from now until the All-star break. I expect to see some tinkering if our top 6 continues to be flat.

Crazy Thought: Richards, Dubi, and/or Boyle get on the board.

Opponent’s Blog: http://thebruinsblog.net/

Game time is 1:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM212.

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