Standings: Lightning (29-28-6), Rangers (41-15-6)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (30-25-55)
TBL Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos (44-32-75)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (46 GS, 1.75 GAA, .940 SV%)
TBL Goaltender: Mathieu Garon (41 GS, 2.85 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Ruslan Fedotenko
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle- Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-John Scott

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Anton Stralman
Jeff Woywitka-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start

Probable Scratches/Injuries:  Steve Eminger, Mike Sauer (concussion), Ryan Callahan (foot), Michael Del Zotto (hip)

Preview: The Lightning, inventors of the 1-3-1 trap. This team can score, and they have a pretty decent defensive system in place with that 1-3-1 trap/forecheck. The problem lies with their goaltending. Sadly, those numbers for Garon are light years ahead of Dwayne Roloson’s numbers, which is why Garon has usurped control of the starting gig in Tampa.

With Martin St. Louis back in the lineup after that freak accident, he has been on fire. Granted, St. Louis is generally on fire, and so is Steven Stamkos. Well, Stamkos is always on fire as well. Those two are the primary scorers for a Tampa Bay team that was a seller at the deadline.

Puck possession and staying out of the box will be keys for the Rangers if they want to win this game. With a tough March schedule, any point they can get against a non-playoff team is going to be important. Back-to-backs seem to be a specialty for the Rangers though.

Crazy Thought: Dubinsky finds a way to not screw up.

Opposition Blog:  Lightning Hockey Blog

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