The second of back to back games. And after the performance in Tampa, the Rangers need to come out strong:
OPPONENT: Pittsburgh Penguins
RECORD: 17-9-0
LEADING SCORER: Sidney Crosby, checking in with 26 points
GOALIE: Marc-Andre Fleury, with a 2.51 GAA and a .900 save percentage
GAME TIME: 7:30, MSG
RANGERS LINES:
Following last night, the lines could be changed significantly. Based on some of the pairings I saw last night, here’s my best guess:
Avery-Prospal-Gaborik
Higgins-Drury-Callahan
Parenteau-Anisimov-Kotalik
Lisin-Voros-Brashear
According to Gross, Voros is in for Boyle, a healthy scratch. D-pairings are the same. Valliquette should be in goal.
STATE OF THE BLUESHIRTS: Up and down, as usual. Two great wins in a row, followed by a stinker. Lundqvist looked awful against Tampa. Once Tampa figured out how to control Gaborik, that was the game. No secondary scoring from guys you’d expect. That’s been what this team has been about all year. They have to find a away to get some scoring from Callahan, from Higgins. And man, does this team miss Wade Redden (never thought I’d write that sentence). Sure, Sanguinetti played pretty well, but Redden is a stabilizing force back there (never thought I’d write that sentence). Good news is that Del Zotto is becoming a physical force, and Gilroy is playing really well. The Rangers need the secondary scoring. Without it, they should be called The New York Gaboriks.
CRAZY THOUGHT: Higgins scores a goal
ON THE iPOD: If I Could Fly, by Joe Satriani
FINAL PREDICTION: Just can’t see the Rangers winning. Penguins 3, Rangers 2
So, watch, discuss, have fun. But most of all, LET’S GO RANGERS!!!!!!
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