rangers predators 2015

Quick note: I won’t be making GIFs or doing a goal breakdown tonight. I have plans and can’t watch this game. Thank you NHL scheduling. They should contact me next time.

This is it for the New York Rangers. It’s do or die. Down 3-1 to the Washington Capitals, despite dominating the puck possession game, the Rangers need to find a way to solve Braden Holtby, first and foremost. Holtby has stolen a pair of games this series already in Washington, and has made difficult saves look very easy all series. The Caps have also helped on defense, blocking shots in a way that is reminiscent of the 2012 Tortorella Rangers.

Making Holtby move laterally is a good start, but that requires crisp passing, something the Rangers have had trouble doing all series. The Caps are taking away the passing lanes while collapsing to block shots, which has been maddening. They’ve also been clogging the neutral zone, which has limited rush chances with speed and forced dump-and-chase hockey for the Rangers. They’ve responded reasonably well in the offensive zone, but their neutral zone strategy hasn’t changed.

Kevin did a nice run down of how the Caps play today, Justin broke down how to beat Braden Holtby, Chris did a full preview of the series, and I wrote about why shadowing Ovechkin isn’t the right move. If you haven’t checked those out, you should. They are good reads while waiting for the game to begin.

Caps Systems

Under Barry Trotz the Caps run a 1-1-3 lock or a 1-2-2 forecheck, which they use aggressively or conservatively depending on the game situation (e.g., puck location, the score, etc.). In the defensive zone, Trotz runs your standard zone defense. On special teams, the Caps employ a 1-3-1 power play, and a diamond/box hybrid penalty kill depending on puck location and opposition setup.

Caps Lines

Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Joel Ward
Marcus Johansson-Alex Kuznetsov-Jason Chimera
Andre Burakovsky-Jay Beagle-Troy Brouwer
Curtis Glencross-Brooks Laich-Tom Wilson

Brooks Orpik-John Carlson
Karl Alzner-Matt Niskanen
Tim Gleason-Mike Green

PP1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer-Johansson-Carlson
PP2: Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Ward-Glencross-Carlson

PK: Laich, Brouwer, Fehr, Ward, Backstrom, Orpik, Carlson, Niskanen, Alzner

Braden Holtby gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Rick NashDerick BrassardMartin St. Louis
Chris KreiderDerek StepanJesper Fast
Carl HagelinDominic MooreKevin Hayes
Tanner GlassJ.T. MillerJames Sheppard

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle–Kevin Klein

PP1: Kreider-Stepan-St. Louis-Brassard-Boyle
PP2: Nash-Hayes-Miller-McDonagh-Yandle

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

Henrik Lundqvist is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Mats Zuccarello (concussion), Matt Hunwick (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: The Rangers stay alive

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

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