The Rangers are back after the holiday break, looking to build on their good process from December against the Canes. Carolina is a solid team, and though they sit in the second wild card spot, are one point back of third in the division. This team has good process and is skilled, an James Reimer is holding his own in net.
The Blueshirts have played significantly better in December, as multiple roster moves fell into their lap: Libor Hajek’s injury forcing Skjei/Trouba to be reunited, and Zibanejad coming back. They also moved Howden to the wing, which through two games looks to be a better option than him at center.
Canes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov-Jordan Staal-Warren Foegele
Nino Niederreiter-Sebastian Aho-Teuvo Teravainen
Ryan Dzingel-Eric Haula-Martin Necas
Bock McGinn-Lucas Wallmark-Jordan Martinook
Jaccob Slavin-Dougie Hamilton
Jake Gardiner-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Brett Pesce
PP1: Svechnikov-Staal-Aho-Hamilton-Teravainen
PP2: Necas-Dzingel-Wallmark-Gardiner-Niederreiter
James Reimer gets the start.
Rangers Lines (best guess)
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Pavel Buchnevich
Artemi Panarin–Ryan Strome-Jesper Fast
Brendan Lemieux–Filip Chytil–Kaapo Kakko
Brendan Smith-Greg McKegg–Brett Howden
Brady Skjei–Jacob Trouba
Marc Staal–Tony DeAngelo
Ryan Lindgren–Adam Fox
PP1: Panarin-Zibanejad-Strome-Kreider-DeAngelo
PP2: Kakko-Buchnevich-Lemieux/Chytil-Trouba-Fox
PK Forwards: Fast, Kreider, Strome, Howden, Lemieux
PK Defense: Skjei, Trouba, Staal, Smith
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Scratches: Libor Hajek (knee), Micheal Haley (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Shutout for Hank.
Game time is 7pm.
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