rangers blue jackets ryan mcdonagh brandon dubinsky

The Rangers are in Columbus tonight to take on the very potent Blue Jackets, who are a threat to win the Metro this year. The Blueshirts just had their six game win streak snapped, so Alain Vigneault deemed it the right time to get the optimal lineup dressed. So Brendan Smith will return tonight, and Steven Kampfer will sit.

The story will be on how the Rangers rebound after an atrocious third period against Chicago. The slot area was basically free for the Hawks as they tacked on three goals in five minutes, all from that area. For the Rangers to win, they will need to be better at team defense. It’s not on any particular player anymore, it’s on the team and on the coach to figure stuff out.

Jackets Systems

John Tortorella is a notorious aggressive forechecking coach, deploying a 2-1-2 forecheck with most of his teams. In the defensive zone, he’s also notorious for clogging the slot in a low zone collapse, keeping shots to the outside. On special teams, he usually runs an umbrella powerplay, but there’s enough skill on the top-six in Columbus to run a 1-3-1 as well. On the kill, it’s a standard box/diamond hybrid.

The big change Torts has made while in Columbus is that he allows his defensemen to have more freedom. Specifically, he allows Seth Jones and Zach Werenski to play a “rover” position, where they take chances if they see a scoring opportunity. It’s been working so far. Weird to say, but Torts is a pioneer in this aspect.

For more on hockey systems, check here.

Jackets Lines

Artemi Panarin-Nick Foligno-Oliver Bjorkstrand
Boone Jenner-Brandon Dubinsky-Cam Atkinson
Tyler Motte-Pierre-Luck Dubois-Josh Anderson
Sonny Milano-Jordan Schroeder-Markus Hannikainen

Zach Werenski-Seth Jones
Jack Johnson-David Savard
Ryan Murray-Markus Nutivaara

PP1: Jenner-Foligno-Bjorkstrand-Panarin-Werenski
PP2: Calvert-Wennberg-Dubois-Anderson-Jones

Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderMika ZibanejadPavel Buchnevich
Rick NashKevin HayesMats Zuccarello
Jimmy VeseyDavid DesharnaisJT Miller
Michael Grabner-Boo Nieves-Jesper Fast

Ryan McDonaghNick Holden
Brady SkjeiKevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal–Brendan Smith

PP1: Nash-Miller-Buchnevich-Zibanejad-Shattenkirk
PP2: Hayes-Desharnais-Kreider-Zuccarello-McDonagh

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Paul Carey (healthy), Steven Kampfer (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Smith gets a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Game time is 7pm. Be sure to follow on Twitter for gifs, and on our Snapchat for in-game.

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