henrik lundqvist

Photo: Jim McIsaac/Newsday

The Rangers are in Colorado this afternoon to take on a surprisingly hot Colorado team that is no longer a push over. The Avs are 9-1 in their last ten games and have skyrocketed in the standings. They are also crazy good at home (17-7-1). With the Rangers down a top pairing defenseman and top line winger, this is going to be a challenge.

For the Rangers, all eyes will be on Tony DeAngelo. DeAngelo was called up in light of the injury to Kevin Shattenkirk, and may see regular playing time. Take that with a grain of salt, of course, because the last six games he was here in October, he played powerplay minutes only, with the Rangers basically rotating 11F/6D and DeAngelo with the man advantage. Kevin Hayes and Marc Staal are game-time decisions, as well.

Avs Systems

Jared Bednar is an aggressive coach, running an aggressive, push the pace style. While I’m not well versed in his systems, I’d expect that to turn into a 2-1-2 forecheck and an overload in the defensive zone. Aggressiveness without skill –which the Avs don’t really have outside of three guys– can spell disaster. Expect numerous breakdowns and chances for the Rangers and their counterattack offense.

Avs Lines

Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen
Dominic Toninato-Alex Ferfoot-Nail Yakupov
Matt Nieto-Carl Soderberg-Blake Comeau
Colin Wilson-JT Compher-Gabriel Bourque

Nikita Zadorov-Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth-Mark Barberio
Samuel Girard-Anton Lindholm

PP1: Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen-Compher-Girard
PP2: Yakupov-Soderberg-Kerfoot-Wilson-Johnson

Jonathan Bernier gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Rick NashMika ZibanejadPavel Buchnevich
Mats ZuccarelloJT MillerVinny Lettieri
Jimmy VeseyDavid DesharnaisPaul Carey
Daniel Catenacci–Peter HollandJesper Fast

Ryan McDonagh–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Steven Kampfer
Brendan Smith-Tony DeAngelo

PP1: Nash-Zuccarello-Buchnevich-Zibanejad-McDonagh
PP2: Vesey-Miller-Desharnais-Skjei-DeAngelo

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Chris Kreider (blood clot), Steven Kampfer (healthy), Kevin Hayes (contusion), Marc Staal (lower body), Michael Grabner (flu).

Crazy Prediction: DeAngelo gets regular minutes and doesn’t get benched after his first mistake.

Game time is 3pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans

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