AP Photo/Kathy Willens

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

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 KreiderDerick BrassardRick Nash
JT MillerDerek StepanMats Zuccarello
Kevin HayesEric StaalJesper Fast
Tanner GlassDominic MooreViktor 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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