Standings: Senators (23-15-6), Rangers (27-9-4)

Leading Scorer: Jason Spezza (16-28-44)

Goaltender: Craig Anderson (39 GP, 3.08 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable)

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Wojtek Wolski-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Carl Hagelin
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (healthy), Brandon Dubinsky (shoulder)

Preview: The last time these two teams met, the Rangers were on a roll, and the Senators were just another team that fell victim to the newly minted GAS line. That was on November 9, when the Senators were the surprise team in the East and earning a spot in the playoffs.

Now two months later, the Senators are still in the playoffs because of their high powered offense. The Sens are a bit of a mystery, as they have a negative goal differential and poor goaltending, but yet still remain in the playoff hunt. Their 1-2-2 hybrid trap works for creating turnovers, and they are skilled enough to capitalize when given the opportunity.

Despite their penchant for playing the 1-2-2, the Sens also have another gear they can turn too when needed. It’s how they have been so successful, as they give teams many different looks on the forecheck. This is a dangerous game for the Rangers, but most of them are now. For the first time in recent memory, the Rangers are the team with the target on their backs.

Crazy Thought: Hagelin gets three points.

Opponent’s Blog: SenShot

Game time tonight is 7:00pm on MSG, AM970 and XM213.

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