Photo: Reuters/Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY SPORTS
The Rangers have one three in a row, and haven’t allowed a goal since they were in Winnipeg. That stretch includes a 1-0 blanking of the Blackhawks in Chicago, a game that Nick Holden won in overtime. That game was fun to watch, with both goalies playing stellar hockey. The venue switches to The Garden tonight, as the Rangers look to sweep the always dangerous Hawks.
The same analysis of the Hawks from last week still applies, however it’s Corey Crawford in net this time. The Hawks are still nursing some injuries, as are the Rangers. Both teams like to trade chances, which plays to the Rangers’ advantage, as they have a full four lines of skill. The Hawks have just three. The game is going to come down to who converts on their chances.
Hawks Systems
Joel Quenneville is one of the best coaches in the game. His Hawks play an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck, keeping the back forward and defensemen ready to jump on turnovers. In the defensive zone, the Hawks play a standard zone defense looking to defend you in layers based on puck location. On special teams, they run a 1-3-1 power play, and a wedge+1 penalty kill.
Hawks Lines
Artemi Panirin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Marcus Kruger-Marian Hossa
Tyler Motte-Dennis Rasmussen-Richard Panik
Andrew Desjardins-Vincent Hinostroza-Jordin Tootoo
Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Brian Campbell-Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling-Trevor van Riemsdyk
PP1: Kane-Anisimov-Panarin-Keith-Seabrook
PP2: Hossa-Hinostroza-Panik-Forsling-Campbell
Corey Crawford gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–J.T. Miller
Jimmy Vesey–Brandon Pirri–Jesper Fast
Nicklas Jensen–Oscar Lindberg–Marek Hrivik
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), Adam Clendening (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Marek Hrivik gets his first NHL goal.
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