Photo: Nick Wass/AP

It’s official. The Rangers have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. For the first time in 14 years, and for the first time in Henrik Lundqvist’s career, the Rangers will play a hockey game without the possibility of making the playoffs. It’s a weird feeling, even if it is something we’ve been expecting for some time now.

As for the game, it may be meaningless, but there are still some things to watch. Chytil, Andersson, Buchnevich, Pionk, and others are getting very long auditions for next season. Hayes, Namestnikov, and Spooner are likely playing to ensure they aren’t odd-guys out this offseason. We have no idea what will happen with some other players as well.

This is all mental preparation for us for Friday anyway.

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

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Steven Kampfer (hand), Peter Holland (healthy), Tony DeAngelo (ankle)

Crazy Prediction: I don’t have one for tonight. I’m still adjusting to officially meaningless hockey.

Game time is 8pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.

Share: 

More About: