Game 47: Build on a strong win

Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers played a very strong game at home against Vancouver the other day, coming out with a 3-2 win in overtime. It was a game where they dominated from start to finish, and eventually solved a hot goaltender for a come from behind victory. Those are usually the types of wins that a team can build on, and that is hopefully the end result against a weak Carolina team.

Although Carolina is weak, especially in net, they are holding their own due to strong possession play and great play from their blue line. They’ve been getting better shot quality as well, so the Rangers will need to play solid team defense and pepper Eddie Lack regularly.

Derick Brassard will return to the lineup after missing the last game with the flu. Jayson Megna was returned to Hartford and Daniel Paille is likely a healthy scratch, so the lines will resemble what we’ve seen over the past few games.

Canes Systems

Under Bill Peters, the Canes play a passive 1-2-2 on the forecheck and look to trap up the neutral zone. In their own end they run your standard low zone collapse. Not the most exciting of systems. On special teams, they run an umbrella powerplay, and a diamond/box hybrid PK. For more on the systems, click here.

Canes Lines

Kris Versteeg-Eric Staal-Elias Lindholm
Joakim Nordstrom-Jordan Staal-Andrej Nestrasil
Jeff Skinner-Victor Rask-Phillip Di Giuseppe
Nathan Gerbe-Jay McClement-Riley Nash

Ron Hainsey-Justin Faulk
John-Michael Liles-Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin-Jaccob Slavin

PP1: Versteeg-E. Staal-Rask-Hanifin-Faulk
PP2: Nash-J. Staal-Lindholm-Skinner-Liles

PK: McClement, Nash, J. Staal, Rask, Faulk, Hainsey, Liles, Jordan, Pesce

Eddie Lack gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Mats Zuccarello–Derick Brassard–Rick Nash
Kevin Hayes–Derek Stepan–J.T. Miller
Viktor Stalberg–Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass–Dominic Moore–Daniel Paille