Felt like using an old school picture (Photo: Bill Kostroun)
The Rangers, winners of two in a row and three of four, are back in New Jersey tonight against a Devils team that is somehow still in the playoff picture, albeit barely. Three losses in a row certainly aren’t helping their cause, as the Rangers can deal the Devils a significant blow to their playoff hopes with a win tonight.
The Blueshirts are likely without Ryan McDonagh again, but have been surviving without him and Rick Nash out of the lineup. Overall team defense has been solid, as guys like Keith Yandle and Dan Girardi have really stepped up their games. The forwards have also stepped up in their absence, as the team is slowly starting to regain their identity from the last two seasons.
These are the games that good teams not only win, but make statements. The Rangers failed to make statements against Toronto or Detroit, so this is the time to get the proper process back on track.
Devils Systems
John Hynes has his club running a 1-2-2 forecheck, a low zone collapse, an umbrealla powerplay and a hybrid penalty kill. These are standard systems across the board, and are not very aggressive in nature. The Devils will look to sit and force turnovers in the neutral zone on the forecheck, then collapse to block shots and defend the high priced real estate in the defensive zone. Considering the team, conservative is probably his best bet.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Devils Lines
Joseph Blandisi-Adam Henrique-Lee Stempniak
Sergey Kalinin-Travis Zajac-Kyle Palmieri
Reid Boucher-Jacob Josefson-Tyler Kennedy
Bobby Farnham-Stephen Gionta-Jordin Tootoo
Andy Greene-Adam Larsson
Eric Gelinas-David Schlemko
Scott Helgeson-Damon Severson
PP1: Boucher, Henrique, ??, Stempniak, Gelinas
PP2: Josefson, Zajac, Palmieri, Blandisi, Schlemko
PK: Zajac, Stempniak, Henrique, Josefson, Gionta, Larsson, Greene, Gelinas, Schlemko
Corey Schneider gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
JT Miller–Derick Brassard–Jesper Fast
Oscar Lindberg–Kevin Hayes–Viktor Stalberg
Tanner Glass–Dominic Moore–Marek Hrivik
Keith Yandle–Dan Girardi
Brady Skjei–Kevin Klein
Dan Boyle–Dylan McIlrath
PP1: Yandle-Klein-Miller-Hayes-Fast
PP2: Zucc-Boyle-Kreider-Stepan-Brassard
PK: Stepan, Moore, Lindberg, Fast, Boyle, Staal, Yandle, Girardi
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Rick Nash (leg), Ryan McDonagh (jaw), Marc Staal (tweaked something)
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 7pm on MSG. All gifs will be on nyrgifs.com.
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