Tonight the Rangers are in Brooklyn to take on the Isles in a battle of the tank. Well, it’s funny. The Islanders bought at the deadline –sorta– and couldn’t win to save their lives. The Rangers sold at the deadline and can’t lose to save their lives. It’s kinda funny, yet kinda sad.
But here’s the important thing: An Isles win in regulation moves them ahead of the Rangers in the standings. I can’t root for the Isles, but I can be less irritated by a loss to the Isles with that caveat. I know, I’m playing Switzerland here. Fully admitting it.
Isles Systems
On the forecheck, Doug Weight appears to have the Islanders rotating between a 2-1-2 and a 1-2-2, but use both aggressively. In the defensive zone, it looked like an aggressive zone, likely a hybrid strong side overload/zone. On the penalty kill, it looks like a wedge+1. The powerplay is mostly overload, but they work in a 1-3-1 every now and then.
Islanders Lines
Anders Lee-John Tavares-Josh Bailey
Andrew Beauvillier-Matt Barzal-Jordan Eberle
Andrew Ladd-Brock Nelson-Shane Prince
Ross Johnston-Chris Wagner-Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy-Dennis Seidenberg
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Thomas Hickey-Brandon Davidson
PP1: Lee-Tavares-Bailey-Barzal-Leddy
PP2: Beauvillier-Nelson-Eberle-Ladd-Pulock
Jaro Halak gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Ryan Spooner
Vlad Namestnikov-Kevin Hayes–Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey–Filip Chytil-Mats Zuccarello
Peter Holland-Lias Andersson-Paul Carey
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
Ondrej Pavelec gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Steven Kampfer (hand), Cody McLeod (healthy) Tony DeAngelo (ankle), Jesper Fast (something)
Crazy Prediction: Both teams stop skating in an attempt to lose.
Game time is 7pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.
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