The Teemu Selanne-less Anaheim Ducks are in town tonight, and the Rangers will be looking to get some revenge on the team that humiliated them 6-0 a month ago. This time around, the Rangers are a team that is clicking, winning three in a row and four of five. However, the Ducks are a real solid team at 11-3-1 and one of the top teams in the Western Conference. This is the first real test for the Rangers since –seemingly– putting it all together over the past week.
Bruce Boudreau’s Ducks mix up an aggressive 1-2-2 forecheck. They are not afraid to get the D involved in the rush and will look to fly the zone early if there’s a chance for a break. Though coming off a back to back, they’ll probably switch it up and clog up the neutral zone, which is more energy efficient. Once they get a late lead, the Ducks tend to sit back use a 1-2-2 more conservatively.
They are moderately aggressive when it comes to defensive zone schemes sending a forward to challenge the points while everyone else collapses in the zone and overload the half boards. Their powerplay strategy is a 1-3-1. Their penalty kill formation is generally a diamond force, which sends a player high to challenge the point.
Rangers Lineup:
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Carl Hagelin–Brad Richards-Benoit Pouliot
Derick Brassard-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Taylor Pyatt-Derek Dorsett-Brandon Mashinter
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-John Moore
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start
PP1: Del Zotto-Richards, Kreider-Stepan-Brassard
PP2: McDonagh-J. Moore, Pouliot-Callahan-Boyle
Scratches: Rick Nash (concussion), Dominic Moore (oblique), J.T. Miller (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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