Game 12: Continue to roll in Boston
After a dramatic comeback win against the Oilers on Thursday, the Rangers are in Boston to take on a fully healthy Bruins team. The last time these two faced off, the Rangers dismantled the Bruins, who were without a few of their starters. This time around, they will have Tuukka Rask in net, which instantly makes the game a better matchup for the Bs.
That said, the Rangers have been all over most teams this season with their speed. Outside of the Bruins top line, few players on their roster are going to be able to keep up. On their blue line, only Torey Krug has the skating ability to keep up with the Rangers forwards. If the Rangers can continue to use their speed through the neutral zone and relentless forecheck to their advantage, they should come out with the W.
Bruins Systems
The Bruins have had the same style of play for years under Claude Julien. They play an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck early in the period and then switch to a more conservative 1-4 or 1-1-3 lock later in the period if they have a lead. In the defensive zone, the Bs play a low zone collapse and try to defend you in layers depending on puck location. On special teams, the Bruins use an umbrella power play and a wedge+1/diamond force penalty kill where they try to pressure for turnovers.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Bruins Lines
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Ryan Spooner-David Krejci-David Backes
Matt Beleskey-Riley Nash-Jimmy Hayes
Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
John-Michael Liles-Colin Miller
PP1: Marchand-Bergeron-Spooner-Krejci-Krug
PP2: Beleskey-Backes-Pastrnak–Liles-Miller
Tuukka Rask gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Jimmy Vesey–Derek Stepan–Rick Nash
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–J.T. Miller
Pavel Buchnevich–Brandon Pirri–Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Kevin Klein
PP1: DJ ZBad-Miller-Pirri-Zucc-McDonagh
PP2: Nash-Stepan-Vesey-Hayes-Girardi
Antti Raanta gets the start.
Injuries/Scratches: Josh Jooris (shoulder), Adam Clendening (healthy), Oscar Lindberg (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Nick Holden gets a goal.
Game time is 7pm. No gifs tonight. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!
Dave and his predictions.
How is it possible, that you give that a thumbs down?
I have a fan that follows me around lately.
Horrible turnover by McD. The whole board side was open and for an up ice dump.
Stepan should have been helping behind the net, because it was 2 against 1. So far hockey gods are with Rangers on two fluky goals.
Two shorties, even the PK is in offensive mode!
Can I get some more whining from the Boston homers. Good gooly gosh they are horrible
Rangers playing as poorly as they sound on the radio?
It’s not pretty Chris. But they’ll get the W in the column. I’d rather the radio then theses homers
Must not be familiar with Jack Edwards. A special kind of homer.
Haha, good ole Jack.
Apparently the Bs had this game sewn up except for “a few lucky bounces” that went the Rangers’ way on the SHGs
Didn’t see the game but reading that the Bees had the upper hand in this game, though I also heard that the refs did their darnedest to try and get the Bees back in the game with one-sided officiating. 2 shorties, thanks Zebras!!
Stepan, sounds like he was dominant, good because the Rangers need him long-term.
Good for Buch!! Gets off the schneid, saw the replay, rocket of a snipe.
Raanta, love Auntie. One of a back-to-back should be mandatory for him. Very capable back up.
First game I saw in real time from start to finish. Overall, not one of their better ones. Special teams were the difference. This was a game they likely would have lost last year.
Grabner has been unbelievable thus far. I thought Step played well. Girardi made a few key plays. That being said, the team lacked jump last night. Seemed a step slow except when they were on the kill.
Great goal for Buch. Hopefully getting his first will open the floodgates.
Overall, it’s a road win vs a historically tough opponent, so we’ll take it.
I heard that the Grabner/Stepan PK combo almost had a 3rd shorty, and that opportunity was actually the best of the 3. wow.
Yeah I heard that the Bees carried the play but I also heard that they got away with murder throughout which helps tilt the ice too.
Yes there was a 2-on-0 break, maybe someone can find a gif? Missed the net on the one-timer.
wow. thanks pal.
B’s may have had the edge in play overall but most of their advantage came after NYR had the 3-1 lead. Raanta looked terrific but hardly had to stand on his head. Stepan, Grabner and Fast were particularly effective. It’s going to be a real treat to watch Buch grow.
ah, thanks pal.
love Auntie.
Based on, admittedly, a small sample, I think the Rangers may have finally found Carl Hagelin’s replacement. Michael Grabner has been a vital part of this early season success. His speed and willingness to get in quick on the forecheck has been the ingredient that has been missing since they let the speedy swede get away. Now, if this can continue, then watching Hagelin toil in Pitt will not be such an offense to the eyes!
A win is a win, We will take it. The teams overall speed is intimidating for the opposition. The negatives/concerns from the game was I felt we were pushed around a bit, which I feel will become more of a trend as the season progresses , to try to slow our speed game down. Kudos to Jesper Fast throwing 2 mean checks on Chara ( on the same shift, that showed serious grit!!) Zucc had to leave the ice momentarily because of a nasty blindside hit. NO RETALIATION?? I was very disappointed ( but not surprised) on the Bruins 2nd goal by Pastrnak, Girardi let him stand in the crease uncontested, seemed like 1 full minute, Hey Girardi, this was the same guy that knocked you into la-la land a few games ago, payback was there for the taking, your lackadaisical love tap to his stick does not cut it!!!