rangers blue jackets ryan mcdonagh brandon dubinsky

The Rangers are taking on Columbus tonight in what is basically another game in the countdown until Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are called up. It’s a bit sad, but that’s what we are looking forward to now as fans. I, for one, am enjoying the stress free hockey. Gives me time to actually watch and observe, instead of constantly yelling at my TV.

The Blue Jackets are deep and playoff bound. We knew that from the start. Even with their injuries, they are one of the true contenders in the East. Good for Torts.

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-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Cam Atkinson
Sonny Milano-Nick Foligno-Oliver Bjorkstrand
Boone Jenner-Alex Wennberg-Thomas Vanek
Matt Calvert-Brandon Dubinsky-Mark Letestu

Zach Werenski-Jack Johnson
Ryan Murray-Markus Nutivaara
Ian Cole-David Savard

PP1: Panarin-Wennberg-Dubois-Atkinson-Werenski
PP2: Bjorkstrand-Vanek-Milano-Foligno-Nutivaara

Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start.

Rangers Lines 

Chris KreiderMika ZibanejadPavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey-Vladislav Namestnikov-Mats Zuccarello
Ryan SpoonerKevin HayesJesper Fast
Paul CareyPeter Holland-Cody McLeod

Brady SkjeiJohn Gilmour
Marc StaalNeal Pionk
Rob O’Gara-Ryan Sproul

PP1: Kreider-Namestnikov-Zibanejad-Buchnevich-Pionk
PP2: Vesey-Spooner-Zuccarello-Hayes-Gilmour

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Ondrej Pavelec (knee), Steven Kampfer (hand), David Desharnais (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: I dunno. I’m running low on these.

Game time is 7pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.

Share: 

More About: