Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
The Rangers have had a rough stretch, going 4-5-1 in their last ten while playing some pretty ugly hockey. Given the significance of the injuries, it can be said that staying around hockey .500 is a win for this club. In my humble opinion, the injuries and inconsistent goaltending –based on what we are used to from Henrik Lundqvist– has made the flaws of the team more obvious. That said, the Rangers did play better in Brooklyn, so that’s a start.
As for the Jets, they are dealing with injuries of their own, which has led to a relatively unbalanced lineup. Throw in some pretty rough goaltending, and you have a team that the Rangers should be able to pick apart. That said, the Jets are still at hockey .500 at 13-13-3, and they have a very talented top-six that can make slow defenses pay.
Until the Rangers get fully healthy, expect more of the same from them. Consistently inconsistent.
Jets Systems
Paul Maurice and the Jets play a 1-2-2 forecheck which can be used aggressively or conservatively depending on game situation (e.g., puck location, matchup, time left on the clock, score, etc.). In the defensive zone, the Jets play a zone defense, with five skaters getting sticks and bodies in lanes.
On special teams, the Jets play an umbrella PP and will look to crash the net after a shot. On the PK, the Jets play a rotating box and look to defend homeplate. For more on the systems, click here.
Jets Lines
Nikolaj Ehlers-Bryan Little-Patrick Laine
Mathieu Perreault-Blake Wheeler-Drew Stafford
Andrew Copp-Adam Lowry-Marko Dano
Brandon Tanev-Alex Burmistrov-Chris Thorburn
Josh Morrissey-Dustin Byfuglien
Toby Enstrom-Jacob Trouba
Ben Chiarot-Paul Postma
PP1: Laine-Dano-Perreault-Ehlers-Enstrom
PP2: Wheeler-Little-Stafford-Trouba-Byfuglien
Michael Hutchinson gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–J.T. Miller
Marek Hrivik–Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast
Nicklas Jensen–Josh Jooris-Brandon Pirri
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Kevin Klein
PP1: Kreider-Stepan-Pirri-Zucc-McDonagh
PP2: Miller-Vesey-Hayes-Skjei-Klein
Antti Raanta gets the start.
Injuries/Scratches: Mika Zibanejad (broken leg), Pavel Buchnevich (back spasms), Rick Nash (groin), Matt Puempel (concussion), Jimmy Vesey (wrist), Adam Clendening (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: A shutout, followed immediately by calls for Raanta to replace Hank as the starter..
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