Game 50: Going for four in a row

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

The Rangers are back in action tonight on NBCSN Rivalry Night –oh hey, an actual rivalry on Rivalry Night! Novel concept– looking to make it four in a row before the All Star Break. Luckily for the Rangers, they are facing a Flyers team that is struggling mightily after their ten-game win streak. They have solid forwards, but their defense is a train wreck because they use Andrew MacDonald on the top pair for some reason.

Henrik Lundqvist’s strong play has been the story lately, and it’s good to see The King get back into form. All things considered, he’s going to need to be top notch going forward. He’s certainly capable, and tonight would be a fourth straight strong game from him.

Flyers Systems

Dave Hakstol runs a 1-2-2 forecheck, and a low zone collapse in the defensive zone. The PP is probably a 1-3-1/umbrella hybrid, and the PK is probably a hybrid as well. For more on hockey systems, follow this link.

The Flyers’ depth can be exploited in the right situation.

Flyers Lines

Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jakub Voracek
Travis Konecny-Brayden Schenn-Wayne Simmonds
Nick Cousins-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Chris Vandevelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Roman Lyubimov

Ivan Provorov-Andrew MacDonald
Mark Streit-Radko Gudas
Brandon Manning-Shayne Gostisbehere

PP1: Giroux-Schenn-Simmonds-Voracek-Gostisbehere
PP2: Read-Cousins-Couturier-Provorov-Streit

Steve Mason gets the start.

Rangers Lines 

Rick Nash–Mika Zibanejad–Pavel Buchnevich
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–JT Miller–Jimmy Vesey
Matt Puempel–Oscar Lindberg–Brandon Pirri

Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Nick Holden–Kevin Klein
Brady Skjei–Adam Clendening

PP1: Zibanejad-Buchnevich-Nash-Miller-Clendening
PP2: Stepan-Pirri-Kreider-Zuccarello-McDonagh

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Injuries/Scratches: Marc Staal (upper body), Kevin Hayes (lower body), Jesper Fast (lower body), Antti Raanta (lower body)

Crazy Prediction: A rout.

Game time is 8pm. Gifs are on @blueseatblogs. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!