Standings: Bruins (34-17-2), Rangers (36-13-5)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (27-21-48)
BOS Leading Scorer: Patrice Bergeron (16-31-47)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (41 GS, 1.81 GAA, .939 SV%)
BOS Goaltender: Tim Thomas (34 GS, 2.18 GAA, .931 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards- Ryan Callahan
Carl Hagelin-Brian Boyle- Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Stu Bickel

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Steve Eminger-Anton Stralman

The King gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (AHL conditioning), Wojtek Wolski (AHL conditioning), Ruslan Fedotenko (game time decision)

Preview: The Bruins have stumbled a bit since Thomas famously no-showed for the Stanley Cup visit to the White House. Recently they’ve been shut out by Buffalo & Carolina, two teams they shouldn’t even be losing to, let alone be getting blanked.

With that said, the Bruins are still our biggest threat in the East. Like the Rangers, Boston is built to beat you in so many ways. They’re great along the boards, they convert off the rush, and their defense can get the puck on net from the point. When they have the lead they’ll plug up the neutral zone in those 1-2-2/1-4 trap formations.

The Rangers need to get an early lead on these guys. If it’s tight, expect a lot of dump & chase.

Crazy Thought: Anisimov invites Thomas to the Snipehouse

Opponent’s Blog:  Bruins Blog

Game time is 7:00pm on MSG2 (listings), AM1050, and XM215.

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