Game 5: Just don’t get embarrassed vs. St Louis

(Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Rangers are in St. Louis trying to avoid getting embarrassed for a third straight game after losing the last two by a combined score of 15-2 in San Jose and Anaheim. That 15-2 shellacking includes a four period run where the Rangers were outscored 13-1. Suffice it to say, I think we would be ok with New York not looking like a pee-wee team tonight. That will be tough, as Ken Hitchcock’s Blues are a formidable opponent.

St. Louis runs an aggressive 2-1-2 overload forecheck, but tend to switch to a 1-2-2 with a lead late in the period, though the way the Rangers are playing there’s probably no point on sitting back. They are fairly aggressive when it comes to defensive zone schemes, playing an overload style and collapsing down when the puck is down low. Their power play strategy is a 1-3-1, and their penalty kill formation is a hybrid.

Rangers lineup (probable):

Benoit Pouliot-Brad Richards–Ryan Callahan
Taylor Pyatt–Derek Stepan-Jesper Fast
Brian Boyle-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Justin Falk-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett

Marc Staal–Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh–Anton Stralman
John Moore-Michael Del Zotto

Martin Biron gets the start.

PP1: Staal-Richards-Callahan-Stepan-TBD
PP2: Del Zotto-Girardi-Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello

Scratches: Carl Hagelin (shoulder), Arron Asham (healthy)

Game time is 8pm tonight. Don’t forget to check out New York Rangers Tickets link for deals to attend games.