This is one amazing run, isn’t it? The Rangers have won eight in a row and have points in a whopping twelve straight games (10-0-2). The schedule has been relatively weak, but they also have wins against very good Washington and St. Louis teams. The Blueshirts are getting it done with elite –and unsustainable– goaltending and opportunistic shooting.
Tonight it’s the Maple Leafs, who are pretty bad. This will be a lottery team. They can’t score (2.2 GF/P) and can’t defend (2.94 GA/G). James Reimer has been good in net (.925 SV%), but the Rangers are drawing Jonathan Bernier tonight, who has been having a rough start to the year. The Leafs are also a sub-50% possession team. None of these things should surprise anyone, as the Leafs are rebuilding under new coach Mike Babcock.
Leafs Systems
In Detroit, Mike Babcock had his boys playing a 2-1-2 forecheck, but mix in a LW lock depending on game situation. In their own zone, it was a straight up zone defense. On the PP, it was an umbrella and a 1-3-1 formation. On the penalty kill they changed up their strategy depending on the opposition’s setup.
In Toronto, Babcock hasn’t changed much, however his powerplay is a straight umbrella at the moment. They don’t have the skill to run a 1-3-1 yet, nor do they have a Henrik Zetterberg to serve as a roamer.
Leafs Lines
James van Riemsdyk-Nazem Kadri-Leo Komarov
Shawn Matthias-Tyler Bozak-P.A. Parenteau
Daniel Winnik-Nick Spaling-Joffrey Lupul
Michael Grabner-Byron Froese-Peter Holland
Jake Gardiner-Dion Phaneuf
Matt Hunwick-Morgan Rielly
Scott Harrington-Roman Polak
PP1: Lupul-Kadri-Komarov-JVR-Phaneuf
PP2: Bozak-Holland-Winnik-Parenteau-Gardiner
PK: Winnik, Grabner, Froese, Matthias, Komarov, Hunwick, Rielly, Phaneuf, Polak
Jonathan Bernier gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Rick Nash–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–J.T. Miller
Oscar Lindberg–Kevin Hayes–Viktor Stalberg
Jarret Stoll–Dominic Moore–Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle–Dylan McIlrath
PP1: Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello, Brassard-McDonagh
PP2: Kreider-Hayes-Lindberg, Yandle-Klein
PK: Stepan, Nash, Stoll, Lindberg, Moore, Girardi, McDonagh, Staal, Klein
Antti Raanta is in net.
Scratches/Injuries: Emerson Etem (healthy), Dan Boyle (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: The fourth line contributes all the offense.
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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