This has to be bounce back game for the Rangers. They lost their last two games in embarassing fashion, and a loss to Atlanta would just be demoralizing. Well, even more demoralizing.
The big story before the game will be who sits. I’m guessing Dawes, Fritsche, and Redden because of his injury. If Redden plays, then the Blue Seat faithful should be praying for Kalinin to sit. Potter played very well, and deserves a second game.
Update: As per Sam Weinman, there is yet another lineup change scheduled for tonight. The lines look to be as follows:
Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev
Callahan-Drury-Dawes
Voros-Dubinsky-Sjostrom
Korpikoski-Betts-Orr
Redden returns in lieu of Potter, and Valiquette gets the start.
This makes me 0/3 in predictions. So much for Potter getting another game, which would have been very nice to see, especially with the abysmal Dmitri Kalinin doing a great impression of the great Marek Malik. Prucha gets the press box treatment again, but then again, anyone not name Henrik deserves that treatment right now.
I guess this is why I’m here and Renney is behind the bench.
Update 8:05: As I begin to write how the Rangers have to win because Colton Orr scores, a defensive lapse (with Kalinin on the ice, that’s a -16 now) and the game is tied.
Update 9:55: That was a very well played game. And when I say well played, I mean they got back to basics: going to the net, and getting ugly goals. All three goals were ugly goals, but they are goals, and they count on the scoreboard. Good win for the Rangers. Nice right by Gomez.
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