2024 Stadium Series
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

The New York Rangers are at the Rock tonight with a chance to clinch the President’s Trophy against the New Jersey Devils. The magic number for the Rangers is down to two (and one to clinch the Eastern Conference). A win tonight does it, and a win tonight gives the Rangers the ability to rest a few of their guys in the last two games of the season.

The Devils likely won’t roll over like they did this past weekend, when the Rangers demolished them 6-1. I highly doubt Cory Schneider will have that poor of a game again, and lest we forget that Henrik Lundqvist is one of the reasons why the Devils didn’t take an early lead. I expect this game to be closer, but I also expect the Rangers to go out with a full head of steam knowing they can clinch.

What have they done lately?

The Devils are still a .500 hockey club that is bad at possession, not much has changed in two games. Cory Schneider or bust basically.

Devils Systems

Pete DeBoer, before he was canned, had the Devils playing a 1-2-2 forecheck which they would use aggressively in the offensive zone or passively in the neutral zone as a trap depending on game situation. In the defensive zone, Deboer employed a hybrid overload/zone defensive system depending on whether the puck is along the boards or at mid-ice. On special teams, the DeBoer used an umbrella/1-3-1 power play and abox/diamond penalty kill.

Adam Oates, while in Washington. ran an overload 1-2-2 forecheck and a fairly aggressive overload/low zone collapse in the defensive zone. On special teams, Oates ran a 1-3-1 powerplay and a hyprid PK.

Devils Lines

Stefan Matteau-Travis Zajac-Mike Cammalleri
Reid Boucher-Scott Gomez-Steve Bernier
Adam Henrique-Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus
Tuomo Ruutu-Jacob Josefson-Jordin Tootoo

Andy Greene-Adam Larsson
Jon Merrill-Damon Severson
Mark Fraser-Eric Gelinas

PP1: Cammalleri-Gomez-Bernier-Elias-Gelinas
PP2: Zajac-Henrique-Josefson-Tootoo-Severson

PK: Josefson, Zajac, Zubrus, Cammalleri, Elias, Henrique, Larsson, Greene, Fraser, Merrill

Cory Schneider gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Jesper Fast-Derick Brassard-Rick Nash
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-J.T. Miller
Carl HagelinKevin HayesMartin St. Louis
Tanner GlassDominic Moore-James Sheppard

Marc StaalRyan McDonagh
Keith YandleDan Girardi
Matt HunwickDan Boyle

PP1: Stepan, Brassard, Kreider, Nash, Yandle
PP2: Miller, Hayes, Zuccarello, Boyle, McDonagh

PK: Stepan, Nash, Girardi, Staal, Moore, Fast, Hunwick, Boyle, Hagelin, Yandle, McDonagh

Cam Talbot is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Klein (arm), Mats Zuccarello (small injury)

Crazy Prediction: Everyone on the fourth line gets a point.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 7pm on MSG.

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