rangers devils mats zuccarello

The Rangers have won three in a row and are fully healthy. Sure doesn’t feel like it, though. The Blueshirts, despite their recent runs through November and December, are still in the wild card spot. It shows how tough that Metro Division is, and how important games like tonight against the Devils are.

This is another critical four point swing game in a division where every point matters. The Blueshirts have a chance to leap frog the Devils in the standings tonight. This is the best time to play them too, as they’ve been mediocre at best and riding Cory Schneider for quite some time. It’s similar to the way the Rangers ride Hank, but without the scoring skill throughout the lineup. This is a winnable game.

Devils Systems

John Hynes has his club running a 1-2-2 forecheck, a low zone collapse, an umbrealla powerplay and a hybrid penalty kill. These are standard systems across the board, and are not very aggressive in nature. The Devils will look to sit and force turnovers in the neutral zone on the forecheck, then collapse to block shots and defend the high priced real estate in the defensive zone. Considering the team, conservative is probably his best bet.

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

Devils Lines

Taylor Hall-Nico Hischier-Kyle Palmieri
Blake Coleman-Travis Zajac-Brian Gibbons
Jesper BrattBrian Boyle-Stefan Noesen
Miles Wood-Pavel Zacha-Drew Stafford

John Moore-Sami Vatanen
Will Butcher-Damon Severson
Andy Greene-Steven Santini

PP1: Hall-Zajac Palmieri-Boyle-Butcher
PP2: Bratt-Hischier-Stafford-Severson-Vatanen

Cory Schneider gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy VeseyKevin HayesRick Nash
Michael GrabnerJT MillerMats Zuccarello
Paul Carey–David Desharnais–Jesper Fast

Ryan McDonaghNick Holden
Brady SkjeiKevin Shattenkirk
Marc StaalBrendan Smith

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

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Steven Kampfer (healthy), Boo Nieves (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Three Rangers defensemen score.

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

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