new-york-rangers-vs-pittsburgh-rangers-stanley-cup-playoffs-2014-game-1

Just trollin’ along

While the Rangers may more or less be a lock for the playoffs at this point, there are still critical games to be played this season that will have an impact on seeding. Tonight is one of those critical games in Pittsburgh, as it is a four-point swing game to potentially avoid the Caps in the first round. And no one wants them in the first round.

The Pens aren’t the disaster they were to start the season, filling out their top-heavy roster nicely with some good complimentary pieces. However they still aren’t a deep team, as their bottom-six are weak and Carl Hagelin probably doesn’t belong in a top-six role. The Rangers prey on teams that aren’t deep, so hopefully this is a solid matchup for them, even if the Pens are playing much better hockey of late.

Penguins Systems

Under Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh has gotten more aggressive in all facets of the game. They’ve switched back to a 2-1-2 forecheck and look to pursue the puck, rather than play the contain game in the neutral zone. On defense, they play zone and try to defend in layers. All in all, very similar to how Torts coached the Rangers.

Penguins Lines

Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist
Carl Hagelin-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Kessel
Scott Wilson-Nick Bonino-Bryan Rust
Tom Kuhnhackl-Matt Cullen-Kevin Porter

Olli Maata-Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin-Trevor Daley
Derrick Pouliot-Ian Cole

PP1: Crosby-Malkin-Kessel-Hornqvist-Letang
PP2: Kunitz-Bonino-Wilson-Daley-Pouliot

PK: Crosby, Hagelin, Cullen, Porter, Kuhnhackl, Dumoulin, Lovejoy, Letang, Daley, Pouliot

Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderDerek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
JT MillerDerick Brassard–Jesper Fast
Viktor Stalberg–Eric Staal–Kevin Hayes
Oscar Lindberg–Dominic Moore–Tanner Glass

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Keith Yandle–Kevin Klein
Dan Boyle-Dylan McIlrath

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

PK: Stepan, Moore, Lindberg, Fast, Glass, McDonagh, Staal, Klein, Girardi

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Rick Nash (leg), Marc Staal (flu)

Crazy Prediction: Crosby and Malkin are held pointless.

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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