Photo: Leon Halip/ Getty Image
After six weeks, a trip to Banff, four preseason games in five nights, nine games on the road, four games in six nights, four games on the west coast, two blowouts, a pair of games that have left some hope, and an overtime winner, the Rangers have finally returned to Madison Square Garden. They return home a little banged up at 3-6 and missing their captain, best player, and best puck possession forward. But they are home.
The Montreal Canadiens are first up for the Rangers as they begin a stretch of games where they will play 9 of 12 at home, with 1 of the away games on Long Island. Under Michel Therrien, the Canadiens play a 1-2-2 forecheck, but do use a 2-1-2 style infrequently based on the score and puck location. In the defensive zone, the Canadiens overload the boards first, then collapse low based on puck location. It’s actually very interesting, as Therrien has said in the past that they overload because of their team size (note: small), and they use their speed to their advantage to outnumber the opponent on the wall and force turnovers.
Rangers Lineup:
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Brad Richards
Benoit Pouliot-Derick Brassard-J.T. Miller
Mats Zuccarello-Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast
Taylor Pyatt-Brian Boyle-Derek Dorsett
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-John Moore
The King returns tonight, and will start the home opener.
PP1: Del Zotto-Richards, Kreider-Stepan-Brassard
PP2: McDonagh-J. Moore, Pouliot-Miller-Boyle
Scratches: Carl Hagelin (shoulder), Rick Nash (concussion), Ryan Callahan (thumb), Brandon Mashinter (healthy), Justin Falk (healthy)
Game time is 7:30pm tonight. Don’t forget to check out our Rangers Tickets link for deals to attend games.
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