Opponent: Les Habitants (5-5-2)
Leading Scorer: Max Pacioretty (4-5-9)
Goaltender: Carey Price (2.45 GAA, .908 SV%)
Rangers Projected Lines: (Unconfirmed)
Ruslan Fedotenko-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Sean Avery-Erik Christensen-Andre Deveaux
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Mike Sauer
Jeff Wywitka-Steve Eminger
Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron
Scratches/Injuries: Marc Staal (concussion symptoms), Mike Rupp (knee), Wojtek Wolski (groin), Anton Stralman
Scouting Report: The contract extension given to Pekka Rinne (Nashville), which will pay him $49M for the next 7 years, has instantly turned the spotlight on Price & Management up in Montreal. The last few days the Montreal media has been vigorously debating Price’s potential worth, since he is the last elite goaltender to be on RFA pay. Hopefully the debate gets to Price starting tonight!
The Habs have yet to really get going, but when they are on they are beating teams by capitalizing on turnovers in the neutral zone and on special teams, as all good trapping teams do.
If the Rangers are going to defeat the Canadiens, they will need to be patient and not force long passes through these neutral zone schemes. They are also going to have to be careful with their sticks. I’ve said it before, I am not a conspiracy theorist. However, history has proven time and time again, when the Canadiens come to town, 5-on-5 play lasts about as long as a Kim Kardashian marriage.
It would also be nice if Avery plays like the 2007 version of Avery and not the 2011 version of Avery. I’m not sure what to expect of Sean in his quasi-third stint with the Rangers, but if he beats up PK Subban tonight, all debts are paid.
Crazy Thought: Avery gets a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Opponent’s Blog: Habs Blog, don’t worry it’s not in French
Today’s game is on at 7:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM92…I think.
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