AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Rangers are in Washington tonight to take on the defending champs, who have struggled mightily with defense to start the season. They’ve allowed 19 goals so far in just five games, but 13 of them were in two games (with another four in a third game). Suffice it to say, they are still trying to figure it out with new coach Todd Reirden at the helm.

After winning the Cup, the Caps had a weird offseason. Add the Cup lag to the new coach, and you have a team that might actually be a little vulnerable right now. They are still a great team and will make the playoffs, but the Rangers might be able to steal two points tonight.

Rangers lineup:

Filip ChytilKevin HayesMats Zuccarello
Chris KreiderMika ZibanejadJesper Fast
Jimmy VeseyBrett Howden-Vlad Namestnikov
Pavel Buchnevich-Ryan SpoonerVinni Lettieri

Brady Skjei-Neal Pionk
Marc Staal-Brendan Smith
Frederik Claesson-Kevin Shattenkirk

PP1: Zibanejad-Zuccarello-Kreider-Spooner-Shattenkirk
PP2: Hayes-Chytil-Vesey-Howden-Skjei/Pionk

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Caps lineup:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeni Kuznetsov-Chandler Stephenson
Jakub Vrana-Nicklas Backstrom-TJ Oshie
Andre Burakovsky-Lars Eller-Brett Connolly
Nathan Walker-Nic Dowd-Devante Smith-Pelley

Michal Kempny-John Carlson
Dimity Orlov-Matt Niskanen
Brooks Orpik-Christian Djoos

PP1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie-Kuznetsov-Carlson
PP2: Vrana-Eller-Burakovsky-Niskanen-Orlov

Scratches: Cody McLeod(healthy), Tony DeAngelo (healthy), Adam McQuaid (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Ovechkin doesn’t score.

Game time is 7pm.

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