rangers leafs

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The Rangers, fresh off a tough loss last night against Chicago, are in Toronto to take on the Maple Tankers Leafs. The Leafs are in full tank mode and are All In For Auston. This is a game the Rangers shouldn’t just win, but completely dominate in all facets of the word.

Process at even strength has been significantly better, but the penalty kill is an unmitigated disaster. Toronto’s powerplay is so uber-talented that they have noted goal scorer Peter Holland playing on the first unit*. There’s not much else to say about this game, except please don’t lose.

*-I ran that line by Becky, and she said I’m asking for trouble. Expect Holland to have a hat trick.

Leafs Systems

Mike Babcock plays a 2-1-2 forecheck/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. Pretty straight forward for a team lacking skill.

Leafs Lines

Michael Grabner-Nazem Kadri-Leo Komarov
Daniel Winnik-Nick Spaling-Peter Holland
Colin Greening-Marc Arcobello-P.A. Parenteau
Rich Clune-Byron Froese-Brad Boyes

Matt Hunwick-Morgan Rielly
Jake Gardiner-Roman Polak
Martin Marincin-Frank Corrado

PP1: Holland-Kadri-Komarov-Gardiner-Corrado
PP2: Arcobello-Parenteau-Boyes-Greening-Reilly

PK: Komarov, Grabner, Spaling, Froese, Winnik, Hunwick, Polak, Marincin, Corrado, Reilly

Jonathan Bernier gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderDerek StepanMats Zuccarello
JT MillerDerick BrassardJesper Fast
Oscar LindbergKevin HayesViktor Stalberg
Daniel PailleDominic MooreTanner Glass

Keith YandleDan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh–Kevin Klein
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle

PP1: Yandle-Klein-Miller-Hayes-Fast
PP2: Zucc-Boyle-Kreider-Stepan-Brassard

PK: Stepan, Moore, Lindberg, Fast, Boyle, Staal, Yandle, Girardi

Antti Raanta gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Dylan McIlrath (healthy), Rick Nash (leg)

Crazy Prediction: A perfect penalty kill.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 7:30pm on MSG. All gifs will be on nyrgifs.com.

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