The centerpiece of the Ryan McDonagh trade, Libor Hajek will make his Rangers and NHL debut tonight against Montreal. Hajek’s recall was very surprising, since he has struggled mightily in Hartford and is not even the best defenseman there. However the Pack are atrocious and it’s a terrible environment, so it’s not the best barometer to use when measuring how Hajek has looked. That’s not to say he will be great, but he may just need a change of coach.
As for the game itself, the Canadiens are in the playoff hunt, but are treading water while those below them in the standings continue to win. The Rangers have another opportunity to play spoiler here, and given how they have played lately, that is a realistic possibility. The Blueshirts have no quit in them. It’s refreshing.
Habs Lines
Tomas Tatar-Phillip Danault-Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin-Max Domi-Andrew Shaw
Paul Byron-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Joel Armia
Arturri Lehkonen-Nate Thompson-Dale Weise
Jordie Benn-Shea Weber
Victor Mete-Jeff Petry
Brett Kulak-Christian Folin
PP1: Tatar-Domi-Armia-Shaw-Weber
PP2: Drouin-Kotkaniemi-Gallagher-Danault-Petry
Carey Price gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Jimmy Vesey
Brendan Lemieux–Lias Andersson-Pavel Buchnevich
Vlad Namestnikov–Ryan Strome–Jesper Fast
Brendan Smith–Boo Nieves–Connor Brickley
Brady Skjei–Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal–Tony DeAngelo
Libor Hajek-Neal Pionk
PP1: Zibanejad-Kreider-Vesey-Pionk-Shattenkirk
PP2: Strome-Fast-Namestnikov-
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Brett Howden (knee), Filip Chytil (healthy), Fredrik Claesson (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Hajek scores in his first game.
Game time is 7pm.
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