(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Rangers are back in action tonight in Montreal, but that’s the last thing on everyone’s minds. The Rangers have recalled Vinny Lettieri, and with no new injuries to report, it means something is brewing. Unsure what (as of the writing of this post, at least). Until the trades happen, the games are not the first thing that comes to mind when the Blueshirts get mentioned.
The Habs just lost Shea Weber for the year, and are right in line with the Rangers in tanking. They won’t make the playoffs either. Marc Staal is back for the Rangers. Chris Kreider is close to returning too. It’s going to be an interesting few days.
Update: Nash and Grabner are healthy scratches. Something is imminent. Carey and Lettieri are in.
Habs Systems
Claude Julien is one of the top coaches in the game. He gets his team to play consistent team defense, and it has worked in Montreal. He starts with an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck early and then a more conservative 1-4 or 1-1-3 lock later with a lead. In the defensive zone, the he keeps it simple with a low zone collapse, defending in layers depending on puck location. On special teams, it’s again simple with an umbrella power play (perhaps a little 1-3-1 sprinkled in) and a wedge+1/diamond force penalty kill where they pressured for turnovers.
For more on these systems, check out our Hockey Systems page.
Habs Lines
Max Pacioretty-Jonathan Drouin-Artturi Lehkonen
Alex Galchenyuk-Phillip Danault-Charles Hudon
Paul Byron-Tomas Plekanec-Brendan Gallagher
Nicolas Deslauriers-Byron Froese-Daniel Carr
Jordie Benn-Joe Morrow
Karl Alzner-Jeff Petry
Victor Mete-David Schlemko
PP1: Drouin-Galchenyuk-Pacioretty-Gallagher-Petry
PP2: Hudon-Lehkonen-Danault-Mete-Morrow
Carey Price gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Mats Zuccarello–Mika Zibanejad–Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-JT Miller
Vinny Lettieri-David Desharnais–Jesper Fast
Cody McLeod-Peter Holland–Paul Carey
PP1: Nash-Zuccarello-Zibanejad-Miller-Skjei
PP2: Hayes-Desharnais-Lettieri-Gilmour-DeAngelo
Alex Georgiev gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Chris Kreider (blood clot), Kevin Shattenkirk (knee), Ryan McDonagh (lingering something or other), Ondrej Pavelec (knee), Steven Kampfer (hand), Rick Nash (to be traded), Michael Grabner (to be traded)
Crazy Prediction: The rare mid-game trade.
Game time is 7:30pm. Be sure to follow on our Snapchat for in-game shenanigans.
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