AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
The future begins now, as Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are with the Blueshirts. They are slated to play middle-six roles today, as Alain Vigneault doesn’t want to break up the Kreider/Zibanejad/Fast line that has been hot. Understandable, even if that leaves Namestnikov and Buchnevich on the fourth line with McLeod. Whatever.
The Caps are playoff bound and one of the actual contenders for the Cup this year. They are skilled, deep, and have great goaltending. Whether they can put it all together and avoid a choke, we shall see.
Caps Systems
Under Barry Trotz the Caps run a 1-1-3 lock or a 1-2-2 forecheck, which they use aggressively or conservatively depending on the game situation (e.g., puck location, the score, etc.). In the defensive zone, Trotz runs your standard zone defense. On special teams, the Caps employ a 1-3-1 power play, and a diamond/box hybrid penalty kill depending on puck location and opposition setup.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Caps Lines
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Andre Burakovsky-Nicklas Backstrom-TJ Oshie
Brett Connolly-Lars Eller-Jacob Vrana
Chandler Stephenson-Jay Beagle-Alex Chiasson
Michal Kempny-John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov-Matt Niskanen
Brooks Orpik-Jakub Jerabek
PP1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kuznetsov-Oshie-Carlson
PP2: Burakovsky-Vrana-Connolly-Orlov-Ovechkin
Braden Holtby gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Jesper Fast
Kevin Hayes–Filip Chytil-Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-Lias Andersson-Ryan Spooner
Cody McLeod-Vlad Namestnikov-Pavel Buchnevich
Brady Skjei–John Gilmour
Marc Staal–Neal Pionk
Rob O’Gara-Ryan Sproul
PP1: Kreider-Namestnikov-Zibanejad-Buchnevich-Pionk
PP2: Vesey-Spooner-Zuccarello-Hayes-Gilmour
Alex Georgiev gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Steven Kampfer (hand), Peter Holland (healthy), Henrik Lundqvist (shoulder, probably), Tony DeAngelo (ankle)
Crazy Prediction: Andersson and Chytil are anointed saviors and given keys to the city.
Game time is 7:30pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.
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