Photo: KOSTAS LYMPEROPOULOS/CSM Landov
The Rangers are in Nashville tonight to take on a mediocre Predators team with a -13 goal differential. You can argue that the Rangers have a -8 goal differential, making them just as mediocre, but we know there are a few games skewing that. The key to beating Nashville is staying out of the box, since they convert at over 20% with the man advantage. Shea Weber at the point does that to a powerplay. Regardless, this is a mediocre team that the Rangers need to beat and continue to roll.
Under Barry Trotz, Nashville plays a 1-1-3 lock or a 1-2-2, which he uses aggressively or conservatively depending on puck location, the score, etc. In the defensive zone, the Preds are mostly conservative, playing a low zone collapse/box+1. They also run an umbrella/ 1-3-1 power play, and they run it very well (21.6% success). On the PK they run diamond/box hybrid penalty kill depending on puck location and opposition setup.
Rangers Lineup:
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Rick Nash–Brad Richards–Ryan Callahan
Carl Hagelin-Derick Brassard-Benoit Pouliot
Derek Dorsett-Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Anton Stralman
John Moore-Michael Del Zotto
Cam Talbot gets the start.
Scratches: Taylor Pyatt (concussion), J.T. Miller (healthy), Justin Falk (healthy)
Game time is 8pm tonight. Don’t forget to check out our Rangers Tickets link for deals to attend games.
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