The Rangers are back in action after their third extended break this month, facing off against the Leafs in Toronto. The Leafs have William Nylander back, have added John Tavares, and are just downright dangerous up front. They lost James van Riemsdyk and still managed to get better. It’s kind of unfair.
As for the Rangers, the true test will be trying to tame those forwards. The Blueshirts’ forwards can score –albeit not as often as Toronto’s– so it will be on limiting Toronto’s chances to the outside. That means not giving up the blue line so quickly and easily and not allowing slot line passes. So basically not doing anything they have been doing the past month or so.
Disclaimer: Lines are assumed. This was written Friday afternoon, as I am celebrating the holidays with my family today and wouldn’t have had time to write something today.
Leafs Lines
Connor Brown-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Andreas Johnsson-Auston Matthews-Kasperi Kapanen
Patrick Marleau-Nazem Kadri-William Nylander
Par Lindholm-Frederik Gauthier-Tyler Ennis
Mike Reilly-Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner-Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott-Martin Marincin
PP1: Matthews-Kadri-Marner-Tavares-Reilly
PP2: Ennis-Johnsson-Marleau-Nylander-Gardiner
Frederik Andersen gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Filip Chytil –Mika Zibanejad–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Kevin Hayes-Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey–Brett Howden–Vlad Namestnikov
Boo Nieves–Lias Andersson–Ryan Strome
Brady Skjei–Tony DeAngelo
Marc Staal–Neal Pionk
Brendan Smith–Adam McQuaid
PP1: Zibanejad-Hayes-Kreider-Zuccarello-Pionk
PP2: Howden-Chytil-Vesey-Buchnevich-DeAngelo
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Kevin Shattenkirk (shoulder), Cody McLeod (hand), Jesper Fast (upper body), Fredrik Claesson (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: The Leafs score less than 4 goals.
Game time is 7pm.
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