After a dramatic comeback win against the Oilers on Thursday, the Rangers are in Boston to take on a fully healthy Bruins team. The last time these two faced off, the Rangers dismantled the Bruins, who were without a few of their starters. This time around, they will have Tuukka Rask in net, which instantly makes the game a better matchup for the Bs.
That said, the Rangers have been all over most teams this season with their speed. Outside of the Bruins top line, few players on their roster are going to be able to keep up. On their blue line, only Torey Krug has the skating ability to keep up with the Rangers forwards. If the Rangers can continue to use their speed through the neutral zone and relentless forecheck to their advantage, they should come out with the W.
Bruins Systems
The Bruins have had the same style of play for years under Claude Julien. They play an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck early in the period and then switch to a more conservative 1-4 or 1-1-3 lock later in the period if they have a lead. In the defensive zone, the Bs play a low zone collapse and try to defend you in layers depending on puck location. On special teams, the Bruins use an umbrella power play and a wedge+1/diamond force penalty kill where they try to pressure for turnovers.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Bruins Lines
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Ryan Spooner-David Krejci-David Backes
Matt Beleskey-Riley Nash-Jimmy Hayes
Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
John-Michael Liles-Colin Miller
PP1: Marchand-Bergeron-Spooner-Krejci-Krug
PP2: Beleskey-Backes-Pastrnak–Liles-Miller
Tuukka Rask gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Jimmy Vesey–Derek Stepan–Rick Nash
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–J.T. Miller
Pavel Buchnevich–Brandon Pirri–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: Josh Jooris (shoulder), Adam Clendening (healthy), Oscar Lindberg (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Nick Holden gets a goal.
Game time is 7pm. No gifs tonight. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!
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