Rangers prospect development is a problem

After yesterday’s strong win, the Rangers are rolling. They have three in a row heading into Pittsburgh, with a chance to get back into the playoff picture tonight. The defensive effort was shored up against the Devils, but the Penguins are a much better team than the Devils. Staying relevant is going to require beating teams like the Penguins.

The Penguins are still a top-heavy team, but that top-six is dangerous. They can very quickly make the Rangers pay for any mistakes. The key tonight will be limiting the high danger chances and keeping Crosby and Malkin to the outside. Continued forechecking and neutral zone pressure will keep the Penguins pinned as well.

Penguins Lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney CrosbyBryan Rust
Jared McCann-Evgeni Malkin–Kasperi Kapanen
Zach Aston-Reese-Teddy Blueger-Brandon Tanev
Sam Lafferty-Mark Jankowski-Evan Rodrigues

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-John Marino
Mike Matheson-Cody Ceci

PP1: Crosby-Malkin-Rust-Guentzel-Letang
PP2: McCann-Rodrigues-Kapanen-Marino-Matheson

Casey DeSmith gets the start.

Rangers Lines 

Alexis Lafreniere-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich
Chris KreiderRyan Strome–Kaapo Kakko
Kevin RooneyFilip Chytil-Julien Gauthier
Brendan Lemieux–Brett Howden-Phil Di Giuseppe

Ryan LindgrenAdam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Libor Hajek–Brendan Smith

PP1: Strome-Zibanejad-Lafreniere-Kreider-Fox
PP2: Kakko-Buchnevich-Chytil-Lemieux-Miller

Alex Georgiev gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Artemi Panarin (Russian Hit Piece), Anthony Bitetto (healthy), Colin Blackwell (healthy), Igor Shesterkin (groin), Jack Johnson (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: No points for Crosby and Malkin.

Game time is 7pm.

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