Yesterday was a big day for Rangers fans. First Neal Pionk was recalled, seemingly replacing the waived Brendan Smith. Then the big announcement came – The Rangers, for the first time since 2004, will be sellers. The front office tested the waters, and they were largely met with acceptance. John Gilmour was recalled today, signalling a change in guard on the blue line.
Tonight marks the first of 28 games where the Rangers are officially sellers. We had an idea that they were selling, but it’s official now. Every game is a showcase for a pending free agent. Every game is a showcase for potential blockbusters involving fan favorites. Calgary, now no longer after thoughts in the league,
Flames Systems
Glen Gulutzan is the new guy in Calgary. He is fairly standard with his systems. It’s a 1-2-2 forecheck, but it sometimes looks like a 1-1-1-2, could just be the tv angle. The defensive zone system is an overload, sometimes collapsing depending on puck location. The PP is a 1-3-1/umbrella hybrid. The PK is a hybrid box/diamond.
Flames Lines
Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Michael Ferlund
Matt Tkachuk-Mikael Backlund-Michael Frolik
Sam Bennett-Mark Jankowski-Troy Brouwer
Ryan Lomberg-Matt Stajan-Garnet Hathaway
Mark Giordano-Dougie Hamilton
TJ Brodie-Travis Hamonic
Brett Kulak-Michael Stone
PP1: Tkachuk-Gaudeau-Monahan-Brouwer-Giordano
PP2: Ferlund-Backlund-Bennett-Brodie-Hamilton
Brian Elliott gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Rick Nash–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
JT Miller–David Desharnais-Jesper Fast
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes-Vinny Lettieri
Cody McLeod-Peter Holland-Paul Carey
Brady Skjei-Steven Kampfer
Nick Holden-Tony DeAngelo
John Gilmour–Neal Pionk
PP1: Nash-Zuccarello-Zibanejad-Miller-Skjei
PP2: Hayes-Desharnais-Lettieri-Gilmour-DeAngelo
Ondrej Pavelec gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Chris Kreider (blood clot), Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Pavel Buchnevich (concussion), Jimmy Vesey (concussion), Marc Staal (cervical sprain), Ryan McDonagh (lingering something or other)
Crazy Prediction: Pionk and Gilmour both score in their debuts.
Game time is 7pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.
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