Late last week, we learned that Mats Zuccarello would be the Rangers Ambassador for You Can Play. The You Can Play project is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the LGBTQ community and fighting homophobia in sports. Tonight is You Can Play Night at MSG.  A special table will be set up at Section 113/114 where fans can talk to a representative and learn more about the organization and their initiatives. There will also be an online auction, and 100% of the auction’s proceeds will benefit the You Can Play Project.

As for the game itself, the Rangers are taking on potential trade match Anaheim. The Ducks have a ton of defensemen but lack cheap scoring. They are top heavy up front but deep on defense. It’s going to be an interesting matchup. Perhaps the Rangers get a good, long look at Josh Manson.

Ducks Systems

Randy Carlyle is the new guy in Anaheim, and I honestly haven’t watched much of him this year. When he was in Toronto, the Leafs mostly rotated between an aggressive 1-2-2 forecheck  and a passive 1-2-2. However, they mixed in a 2-1-2 forecheck on occasion depending on game situation. In the defensive zone, the Leafs generally played a collapsing box, which will leave the point men open for opportunities. Their powerplay (umbrella) was fairly standard. On the kill, the Leafs rotated between PK strategies depending on opposition setup.

I’d expect much of the same from Anaheim, as they are fairly common systems. Nothing crazy.

Ducks Lines

Andrew Cogliano-Ryan Kesler-Jakob Silfverberg
Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Nick Ritchie-Antoine Vermette-Ondrej Kase
Joseph Cramarossa-Nate Thompson-Logan Shaw

Cam Fowler-Brandon Montour
Hampus Lindholm-Josh Manson
Shea Theodore-Kevin Bieksa

PP1: Kesler-Getzlaf-Perry-Fowler-Montour
PP2: Vermette-Rackell-Silfverberg-Lindholm-Bieksa

John Gibson gets the start.

Rangers Lines 

Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey–Derek Stepan–Rick Nash
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes-JT Miller
Pavel Buchnevich–Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast

Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Kevin Klein

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

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Injuries/Scratches:  Brandon Pirri (healthy), Adam Clendening (healthy), Matt Puempel

Crazy Prediction: A block buster trade after the final whistle blows.

Game time is 7pm. Gifs are on @blueseatblogs. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!

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