Cam Ward, Chris Kreider

AP Photo/Gerry Broome

The last time the Rangers and the Canes met, it was one week ago on Thanksgiving Eve. The Blueshirts spanked the Canes, mocking my game thread title that the Canes are actually good. Well I’m doubling down on it. The Canes are actually pretty good, and last week’s 6-1 drubbing is not a true indication of their talent level.

While I’m not expecting the same result, I am expecting the same track meet. The Rangers dominated the game last week, but I fully expect the pace to stay high in this game.

Canes Systems

Under Bill Peters, the Canes play a passive 1-2-2 on the forecheck and look to trap up the neutral zone. In their own end they run your standard low zone collapse. Not the most exciting of systems. On special teams, they run an umbrella powerplay, and a diamond/box hybrid PK.

For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.

Disclaimer: I wrote this preview a week ago. The lines may not be accurate.

Canes Lines (presumed)

Sebastian Aho-Jordan Staal-Teuvo Teravainen
Jeff Skinner-Elias Lindholm-Phillip DiGiuseppe
Brock McGinn-Derek Ryan-Justin Williams
Joakim Nordstrom-Marcus Kruger-Josh Jooris

Jacob Slavin-Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury-Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin-Trevor van Riemsdyk

PP1: Staal-Aho-Lindholm-Teravainen-Faulk
PP2: Ryan-McGinn-Skinner-Williams-Slavin

Scott Darling gets the start.

Rangers Lines (presumed)

Chris KreiderMika ZibanejadPavel Buchnevich
Rick NashKevin HayesJesper Fast
Michael GrabnerJT MillerMats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-Boo Nieves-Paul Carey

Nick Holden-Brendan Smith
Brady SkjeiKevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal–Steven Kampfer

PP1: Nash-Kreider-Buchnevich-Zibanejad-Shattenkirk
PP2: Hayes-Miller-Vesey-Zuccarello-Skjei

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Paul Carey (healthy), Ryan McDonagh (abdomen)

Crazy Prediction: A six point night for the top line.

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

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