AP Photo/Kathy Willens

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Hockey is finally here. It’s a little late, but better late than never. The Rangers drop the puck at home on the season opener for the first time in close to a decade. This season is likely going to be a roller coaster ride, with much improved forward depth and possibly a bottom-five defense.

Pat wrote a detailed preview of the game tonight, so be sure to check it out. That’s all I got. Welcome back, hockey. We missed you.

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.

Islanders Lines

Andrew Ladd-John Tavares-Jason Chimera
Anthony Beauvillier-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey
Shane Prince-Ryan Strome-Anders Lee
Nikolay Kulemin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Nick Leddy-Travis Hamonic
Calvin de Haan-Johnny Boychuk
Thomas Hickey-Ryan Pulock

PP1: Ladd-Tavares-Nelson-Leddy-Boychuk
PP2: Lee-Bailey-Strome-Hamonic-Pulock

Jaroslav Halak gets the start.

Rangers Lines:

Jimmy Vesey-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich
J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Rick Nash
Michael Grabner-Brandon Pirri-Jesper Fast

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Adam Clendening

PP1: Pirri-Buchnevich-Zibanejad-Kreider-McDonagh
PP2: Vesey-Stepan-Nash-Zuccarello-Staal

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Injuries/Scratches: Oscar Lindberg (hip), Kevin Klein (back), Josh Jooris (healthy), Dylan McIlrath (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Both Vesey and Buchnevich score in their NHL debuts.

Game time is 7pm. Gifs will be on nyrgifs.com. Don’t forget to follow our Snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!

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