Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

After last night’s win in Los Angeles, the Rangers can clinch a playoff spot tonight in Anaheim. However the Pacific Division leading Ducks are no pushover. They have a deep blue line and a pretty solid top nine. However their fourth line leaves a lot to be desired, and their top pair of Fowler/Vatanen is a wee bit overrated.

As for the Rangers, The King returns tonight. Antti Raanta was phenomenal in the starting role while Hank was out, but this is Hank’s team. Hank was playing very well before his injury, and it’s expected that he will be able to repeat that performance as he gears up for a playoff run. The Rangers will need him to catch fire for them to have a chance of playoff success.

Ducks Systems

Randy Carlyle is the new guy in Anaheim, He has the Ducks rotating between an aggressive 1-2-2 forecheck  and a passive 1-2-2. However, they mix in a 2-1-2 forecheck on occasion depending on game situation. In the defensive zone, expect a collapsing box, which will leave the point men open for opportunities. Their powerplay (umbrella) is fairly standard. On the kill, there will be a rotation of PK strategies depending on opposition setup.

Ducks Lines

Nick Ritchie-Ryan Getzlaf-Patrick Eaves
Andrew Cogliano-Ryan Kesler-Jakob Silfverberg
Rickard Rakell-Antoine Vermette-Corey Perry
Chris Wagner-Nate Thompson-Jared Boll

Cam Fowler-Sami Vatanen
Hampus Lindholm-Josh Manson
Korbinian Holzer-Brandon Montour

PP1: Kesler-Getzlaf-Eaves-Fowler-Vatanen
PP2: Perry-Rackell-Silfverberg-Lindholm-Manson

Jonathan Bernier gets the start.

Rangers Lines

JT Miller–Mika Zibanejad–Rick Nash
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–Jesper Fast
Pavel Buchnevich–Oscar Lindberg–Jimmy Vesey

Ryan McDonagh–Kevin Klein
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei–Brendan Smith

PP1: Zibanejad-Buchnevich-Vesey-Miller-McDonagh
PP2: Stepan-Hayes-Kreider-Zuccarello-Skjei

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Injuries/Scratches:  Dan Girardi (healthy),  Adam Clendening (healthy) Steven Kampfer (healthy), Matt Puempel (healthy), Brandon Pirri (healthy), Tanner Glass (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: A second straight shutout.

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