Standings: Canadiens (29-34-14), Rangers (49-21-7)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (38-3-71)
MTL Leading Scorer: Max Pacioretty (30-29-59)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (58 GS, 1.93 GAA, .930 SV%)
MTL Goaltender: Carey Price (64 GS, 2.42 GAA, .920 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

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

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

Probable Scratches/Injuries:  Mike Sauer (concussion), Mats Zuccarello (wrist), Steve Eminger (ankle), Jeff Woywitka (healthy), John Scott (healthy)

Preview: My how the mighty have fallen in Montreal. This is a Habs team that is looking at a lottery pick instead of the playoffs. Bogged down by overpriced contracts, the Canadiens have just made the wrong moves every step of the way. Even the Rene Bourque deal looks to have blown up in their face.

GM Pierre Gauthier was fired yesterday, and rumors are that Randy Cunneyworth will be let go at the end of the year. Gautheir’s firing is justified, but Cunneyworth was put into a bad spot. Apparently not speaking French is too great an issue to get past, even though he seems to be a good coach, just with underperforming players.

Even though the Habs are a bad team this year, they have enough talent to steal a win here and there and play spoiler. With Pittsburgh’s second straigh loss to the Islanders last night, the Rangers have a chance to make the magic number drop to just three with a win tonight.

Crazy Thought: A shutout for Hank, to quiet that “St Louis goalies for Vezina” talk.

Opposition Blog: A Winning Habit – kind of misleading, eh?

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