AP Photo/Julio Cortez

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

The Rangers are facing the Devils in what is, for all intents and purposes, a meaningless game. Marty Brodeur isn’t playing, since he doesn’t want to get booed for two hours. Real professional Marty. Anyway, the game may be meaningless from a playoff perspective, but a point gives the Rangers the #7 seed. A win gives them the #6 seed, but Ottawa still needs to finish out their season and they could pass the Rangers with one win in their final two games.

The Devils use two separate forechecking systems. In the early going the Devils play a 2-1-2 forecheck, but once the Devils get a lead, they switch forechecking strategies to a 1-2-2 hybrid trap. In the defensive zone, the Devils –much like the Rangers– play a shot-blocking collapsing box style. However, unlike the Rangers, the Devils’ wingers have the freedom to attack the point if the matchup is right (i.e.: When a slow-footed defenseman is out on the ice).

On special teams, the Devils and the Rangers are similar. The Devils play your standard umbrella powerplay, although unlike the Rangers, they will not switch to a 1-3-1 at specific times. On the penalty kill, the Devs play a rotation between a box and a diamond, depending on puck location and the setup of the opposition. Expect a diamond when the Rangers run an umbrella, and a box if the Rangers switch to a 1-3-1.

For more on Tortorella’s systems read here.

2012-2013 Records: Devils (19-18-10), Rangers (25-18-4)

NYR Leading Scorer: Derek Stepan (17-25-42)
NJD Leading Scorer: Patrik Elias (14-22-36)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (42 GP, 2.10 GAA, .925 SV%)
NJD Goaltender: Johan Hedberg (18 GP, 2.69 GAA, .887 SV%)

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Rangers Lines (these may be off, this post was written before the lineup came out):

Chris Kreider-Derick Brassard-Rick Nash
Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan
Taylor Pyatt-Brad Richards-Mats Zuccarello
Kris Newbury-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), Ryane Clowe (leg), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Roman Hamrlik (healthy)

Broadcast Info: NBC, 3pm

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