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Tonight the Rangers are in Carolina in an attempt to clinch a playoff berth. The magic number is at two, meaning any combination of the Rangers getting or the Winnipeg Jets losing two points seals it for the Rangers. That means any Ranger win and they are in. A Jets regulation loss and the Rangers clinch. A Rangers and Jets OTL/SOL and the Rangers are in. Any combination of a two point swing in the standings for the Rangers, and they clinch a berth. Suffice it to say, tonight is big.
On the ice, the Canes play a 1-2-2 hybrid trap, meaning they may forecheck when the opportunity presents itself, but will mainly play a trapping style. Based on the score, they may switch to a 2-1-2 forecheck to pressure the defense and cause turnovers to get back in the game. In the defensive zone, the Canes play a variation of the low zone collapse. They collapse four guys in the middle, but send one man out to pressure the puck. That man will vary, and depends on puck location.
On special teams, the Canes run an umbrella powerplay and alternate between a diamond, a wedge+1, and a box penalty kill depending on the type of power play they are defending against. When the Rangers run an umbrella, the Canes will run a diamond. When the Rangers run their 1-3-1, the Canes will switch to a wedge+1.
For more on Tortorella’s systems read here.
2012-2013 Records: Hurricanes (19-24-3), Rangers (24-18-4)
NYR Leading Scorer: Rick Nash (19-21-40) / Derek Stepan (16-24-40)
CAR Leading Scorer: Eric Staal (18-32-50)
NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (41 GP, 2.08 GAA, .926 SV%)
CAR Goaltender: Dan Ellis (18 GP, 3.08 GAA, .907 SV%)
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Rangers Lines:
Ryane Clowe-Derick Brassard-Rick Nash
Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan
Taylor Pyatt-Brad Richards-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Darroll Powe-Arron Asham
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
John Moore-Steve Eminger
Henrik Lundqvist
Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Marc Staal (eye), Brian Boyle (knee), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Roman Hamrlik (healthy)
Broadcast Info: MSG, 7pm
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