Tonight’s game at MSG is a bit of an oddity. For the first time I can remember, the Rangers are facing the Islanders with playoff implications late in the season, and fans of both teams are actively hoping their team loses. No one wants to face the two headed monster of Washington and Pittsburgh.
More importantly, the Steven McDonald Award will be presented tonight. The smart money is on Mats Zuccarello, but I think it should go to Henrik Lundqvist. Hank is the only reason why this team isn’t a complete and utter dumpster fire this year. They aren’t in the playoffs without him. I wonder if the voting fans realized that.
Isles Systems
Like the Rangers, Isles head coach Jack Capuano has the Isles running a 1-2-2 forecheck and a 1-1-3 lock, which they use aggressively or conservatively depending on the game situation (e.g., score, time left in period, etc.). In the defensive zone, the Isles are bit different than the Blueshirts. Capuano has them playing man-on-man up high, but collapse into a zone defense when the puck is down low. On special teams, the Isles rotate between a 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 power play and a hybrid penalty kill.
Isles Lines
Frans Nielsen-John Tavares-Kyle Okposo
Nikolai Kulemin-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey
Matt Martin-Ryan Strome-Anders Lee
Eric Boulton-Casey Cizikas-Steve Bernier
Nick Leddy-Johnny Boychuk
Calvin de Haan-Brian Strait
Thomas Hickey-Ryan Pulock
PP1: Tavares-Lee-Nielsen-Okposo-Leddy
PP2: Nelson-Bailey-Strome-Strait-Pulock
PK: Nielsen, Kulemin, Cizikas, Nelson, de Haan, Leddy, Hickey, Strait
Thomas Greiss gets the start.
Rangers Lines (Presumed)
Chris Kreider–Derick Brassard–Rick Nash
JT Miller–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
Kevin Hayes–Eric Staal–Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass–Dominic Moore–Viktor Stalberg
Keith Yandle–Kevin Klein
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle
Brady Skjei–Dylan McIlrath
PP1: Yandle-Klein-Miller-Hayes-Fast
PP2: Zucc-Boyle-Kreider-Stepan-Brassard
PK: Stepan, Moore, Nash, Fast, Glass, McDonagh, Staal, Klein, Girardi
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Oscar Lindberg (healthy), Ryan McDonagh (hand), Dan Girardi (upper body)
Crazy Prediction: Lundqvist scores a goal.
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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