Opponent: San Jose Sharks

Leading Scorer: Joe Pavelski (7-4-11)

Goaltender: Antii Niemi (2.18 GAA, .920 SV%)

Rangers Lines:

Wojtek Wolski-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Andre Deveaux-Artem Anisimov-Erik Christensen

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Mike Sauer
Jeff Wywitka-Steve Eminger

Martin Biron
Henrik Lundqvist

Scratches: Marc Staal (concussion symptoms), Mike Rupp (knee)

Suit’s Preview:  In a way the Sharks are what the Rangers one day hope to be. From a systems standpoint they play a very similar game. The Sharks forecheck aggressively and look to create offense from takeaways in the offensive zone, which is essentially what Torts wants the Rangers doing during 5 on 5 play. Obviously the Sharks are a fully developed team where the Rangers are still green in many ways, but the core principles are very similar.

How we can beat them…

In a cap world no team is perfectly built and the Sharks PK is their biggest weakness (ranked 26th). Whether its personnel, formations, or just subpar goaltending is unclear at this stage, but if the Rangers are going to put them down for the count they‘ll have to beat them on special teams. Note to Michael Del Zotto – please pay attention to another past Camp Tortorella graduate, Mr. Dan Boyle.

Crazy Thought: Eminger plays proper defense.

Opponent’s Blog: Fear the Fin

Today’s game is on at 7:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM92.

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