rangers lightning
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

The Rangers are back in action tonight in Tampa as they take on a true contender in the Lightning. The Bolts and Rangers have been connected on a few trades now, and a whopping five Rangers (Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, JT Miller, Anton Stralman) are now with the Lightning, hoping to get that Cup. The Rangers want the Lightning to win because then their first round pick comes to New York in June.

That is all backstory that really has nothing to do with tonight’s game at all. The Rangers blew a few leads in Sunrise, but came out on top. The Bolts are much, much better. This is as complete a team as you’ll see in the NHL. I don’t expect a bloodbath, but I expect Tampa to have the puck 90% of the time.

Bolts Lines

Ondrej Palat-Steven Stamkos-Yanni Gourde
Tyler Johnson-Brayden Point-Nikita Kucherov
Alex Killorn-Anthony Cerelli-JT Miller
Mathieu Joseph-Cedric Paquette-Ryan Callahan

Victor Hedman-Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak
Braydon Coburn-Mikhail Sergachev

PP1: Kucherov-Point-Stamkos-Gourde-Hedman
PP2: Miller-Killorn-Johnson-Palat-Sergachev

Louis Domingue gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderMika Zibanejad-Vlad Namestnikov
Jimmy Vesey–Kevin Hayes-Ryan Strome
Filip Chytil–Brett HowdenJesper Fast
Steven FogartyLias AnderssonMatt Beleskey

Brady SkjeiTony DeAngelo
Marc StaalNeal Pionk
Fredrik Claesson-Kevin Shattenkirk

PP1: Zibanejad-Hayes-Kreider-Strome-Pionk
PP2: Howden-Chytil-Vesey-Strome-Shattenkirk

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Adam McQuaid (lower body), Pavel Buchnevich (thumb), Cody McLeod (hand), Mats Zuccarello (groin), Brendan Smith (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: All five (well, four…Stralman is hurt) ex-Rangers are held scoreless.

Game time is 7:30pm.

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