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Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Image

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 ZibanejadMats Zuccarello
Chris KreiderKevin Hayes-Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy VeseyBrett Howden–Vlad Namestnikov
Boo NievesLias AnderssonRyan Strome

Brady SkjeiTony DeAngelo
Marc StaalNeal Pionk
Brendan SmithAdam 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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