After a lackluster performance in Carolina which led to their three game win streak being snapped, the Rangers are back in action tonight against the Lightning. The Bolts are expected to be a Cup contender this year, and are off to a relatively decent start with a 5-3 record, identical to the Rangers. If you expect the Wings to fall and the Habs to come to Earth, then the Bolts are the easy favorite to win their division.
The Rangers are a much better matchup against the Bolts than years past, with speed being the primary focus. The Bolts have a more mobile defense, which might give them the advantage over the Rangers. That said, the Rangers forwards have been blowing by all types of blue lines. So maybe this trend will continue.
Bolts Systems
Jon Cooper has the Lightning playing a pretty similar system as the Rangers. They run an overload 1-2-2 forecheck, but will mix in a 2-1-2 as well. They do this quite often against the Rangers actually. In the defensive zone, they mix zone and overload coverage depending on puck location. On special teams, they run a 1-3-1 power play and rotate between a diamond and box penalty kill depending on opposition setup.
Bolts Lines
Ondrej Palat-Steven Stamkos-Jonathan Drouin
Alex Killorn-Tyler Johnson-Vladimir Namestnikov
Cory Conacher-Valtteri Filppula-Brayden Point
Brian Boyle-Cedric Paquette-J.T. Brown
Victor Hedman-Anton Stralman
Jason Garrison-Andrej Sustr
Braydon Coburn-Nikita Nesterov
PP1: Namestnikov-Palat-Johnson-Stamkos-Stralman
PP2: Point-Killorn-Conacher-Drouin-Hedman
Ben Bishop gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Jimmy Vesey–Derek Stepan–Rick Nash
Pavel Buchnevich–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–J.T. Miller
Brandon Pirri–Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Kevin Klein
PP1: DJ ZBad-Miller-Pirri-Zucc-McDonagh
PP2: Nash-Stepan-Vesey-Hayes-Girardi
Antti Raanta gets the start.
Injuries/Scratches: Chris Kreider (back), Josh Jooris (shoulder), Adam Clendening (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Girardi and Holden don’t play as a pairing if they are in need of a late goal.
Game time is 7pm. Gifs on @blueseatblogs. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!
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