Photo: NHL.com
The Ranges have just kept on rolling, extending their win streak to six games and 8-0-2 in their last ten. But St. Louis comes to town tonight, a true playoff team that is just as hot as the Rangers. The Blues are very similar to the Rangers, relying on elite goaltending and transition rushes.
The Blues are 7-2-1 in their last ten games, including impressive wins over Minnesota, Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Nashville. Four players have double-digit scoring totals, and Jake Allen has been lights-out in net. This is the first really hot goaltender the Rangers have faced in their recent 8-0-2 run.
The Rangers haven’t played perfect hockey, and some are quick to point out they played down to their competition over the last three games. This is a big test for the Blueshirts. A statement win would keep a lot of those complaints at bay.
Blues Systems
On the ice, Ken Hitchcock has the Blues running an aggressive 2-1-2 overload forecheck, but tend to switch to a 1-2-2 with a lead late in the period, though the way the Rangers are playing there’s probably no point on sitting back. They are fairly aggressive when it comes to defensive zone schemes, playing an overload style and collapsing down when the puck is down low. Their power play strategy is a 1-3-1, and their penalty kill formation is a hybrid.
Blues Lines
Alex Steen-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko
Scottie Upshall-David Backes-Robby Fabbri
Martin Havlat-Scott Gomez-Troy Brouwer
Magnus Paajarvi-Kyle Brodziak-Dmitrij Jaskin
Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo
Joel Edmundson-Kevin Shattenkirk
Carl Gunnarsson-Colton Parayko
PP1: Tarasenko-Lehtera-Backes-Steen-Shattenkirk
PP2: Brouwer-Fabbri-Gomez-Pietrangelo-Parayko
PK: Brodziak, Steen, Backes, Lehtera, Brouwer, Bouwmeester, Pietrangelo, Gunnarrson, Edmundson
Jake Allen gets the start
Rangers Lines
Rick Nash–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–J.T. Miller
Oscar Lindberg–Kevin Hayes–Viktor Stalberg
Emerson Etem–Jarret Stoll–Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle–Dan Boyle
PP1: Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello, Brassard-McDonagh
PP2: Kreider-Hayes-Lindberg, Yandle-Klein
PK: Stepan, Nash, Stoll, Lindberg, Girardi, McDonagh, Staal, Klein
Henrik Lundqvist is in net.
Scratches/Injuries: Dominic Moore (healthy), Dylan McIlrath (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Girardi scores.
Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 7pm on MSG. All gifs will be on nyrgifs.com.
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