The Rangers are in Boston tonight to take on the Bruins, another potential playoff matchup. Brendan Smith will make his Rangers debut as well, paired with Ryan McDonagh on the top pair. The game is on NBCSN, so expect Pierre to lose his mind over the Wisconsin connection between McDonagh, Smith, and Derek Stepan.
The Bruins are better than their record. They’ve had some goaltending issues this year, and their scoring luck is also down. Part of the scoring issue is a lack of skill outside their top line, though, even if both are starting to come around. That said they are still a good team that will likely make the playoffs. With Tuukka Rask in net, anything is possible.
Bruins Systems
For years, the Bruins had Claude Julien at the helm. But now it’s Bruce Cassidy. I have no insight into what style he will have the Bruins playing. Stay tuned.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Bruins Lines
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Backes
Peter Cehlarik-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Jimmy Hayes
Matt Beleskey-Dominic Moore-Riley Nash
Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Kevan Miller-Colin Miller
PP1: Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak-Spooner-Krug
PP2: Vatrano-Backes-Krejci–Cehlarik-C. Miller
Tuukka Rask gets the start.
Rangers Lines (presumed)
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey–Derek Stepan–Rick Nash
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–JT Miller
Brandon Pirri–Oscar Lindberg–Pavel Buchnevich
Ryan McDonagh–Brendan Smith
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Adam Clendening
PP1: Zibanejad-Buchnevich-Nash-Miller-McDonagh
PP2: Stepan-Miller-Kreider-Zuccarello-Holden
Henrik Lundvist gets the start.
Injuries/Scratches: Jesper Fast (shoulder), Matt Puempel (healthy), Kevin Klein (back), Dan Girardi (ankle)
Crazy Prediction: Buchnevich has a mult-point night.
Game time is 7pm. Gifs are on @blueseatblogs. Be sure to follow our snapchat (blueseatblogs) too!
Share:
More About:Game Thread