It’s time for the annual day after Thanksgiving showdown with the Bruins. This is the third year in a row the Rangers and Bruins play on the day after Thanksgiving (I think), and it’s the first game to be nationally televised on NBC. Something I never understood, though, is why NBC airs this game, then nothing until the Winter Classic. I don’t get that. But I digress.
The Bruins had a really weird offseason. They matched that weird offseason with an equally weird start to the season. Tuukka Rask has been pretty bad, with just a .900 SV%. They also aren’t a solid possession team. Rask rebounding to a .920 SV% is expected. Their top guys should continue to rack up points, although they have a few (Loui Eriksson) on unsustainable paces. The Bruins have top end talent, but lack depth. That may be enough for a playoff push, but it wouldn’t shock me to see them fall out of the race later in the season.
Just a note: This post will also serve as the post-game thread. No one is available to do a goal breakdown. Sorry about that.
Bruins Systems
The Bruins have had the same style of play for years under Claude Julien. They play an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck early in the period and then switch to a more conservative 1-4 or 1-1-3 lock later in the period if they have a lead. In the defensive zone, the Bs play a low zone collapse and try to defend you in layers depending on puck location. On special teams, the Bruins use an umbrella power play and a wedge+1/diamond force penalty kill where they try to pressure for turnovers.
Expected Bruins Lines
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Jimmy Hayes
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci-Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Brett Connolly
Zac Rinaldo-Joonas Kemppainen-Landon Ferraro
Zdeno Chara-Zack Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg-Colin Miller
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
PP1: Spooner-Bergeron-Krejci-Eriksson-Krug
PP2: Connolly-Bergeron-Hayes-Chara-Miller
PK: Krejci, Eriksson, Bergeron, Marchand, Kemppainen, Chara, McQuaid, Seidenberg, Trotman
Tuukka Rask is in net.
Rangers Lines
Rick Nash–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Kevin Hayes
J.T. Miller–Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast
Jarret Stoll–Dominic Moore–Emerson Etem
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
Henrik Lundqvist is in net.
Scratches/Injuries: Viktor Stalberg (healthy), Dan Boyle (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Etem scores.
Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 1pm on NBC. All gifs will be on nyrgifs.com.
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