NY Rangers ECQF Game 6: Force Game 7

The Rangers played well in Game 5, not necessarily dominating but keeping the Penguins relatively at bay. They shored themselves up defensively a bit, notably by getting Ryan Lindgren back. They weren’t perfect, but they did a much better job of containing the Penguins. They may get Tyler Motte back tonight too, which would help a fourth line that sorely needs it.

The story is whether or not Sidney Crosby will play tonight. We are assuming he’s going to play, and this is just Mike Sullivan being coy  trying to get Trouba suspended for incidental contact and an unfortunate result. If he doesn’t play, it’s obviously a big loss for the Penguins. The lineups will likely change as of the writing of this post (in the morning).

Penguins Lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Danton Heinen-Evgeni Malkin–Kasperi Kapanen
Brock McGinn-Jeff Carter-Evan Rodrigues
Brian Boyle-Teddy Blueger-Drew O’Connor

Mike Matheson-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-John Marino
Mark Friedman-Chad Ruhwedel

Louis Domingue gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Frank Vatrano
Artemiy Panarin-Ryan Strome–Andrew Copp
Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil–Kaapo Kakko
Tyler Motte-Kevin Rooney-Ryan Reaves

K’Andre Miller–Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren–Adam Fox
Justin Braun-Braden Schneider

PP1: Strome-Zibanejad-Panarin-Kreider-Fox
PP2: Lafreniere-Chytil-Vatrano-Copp-Trouba

Igor Shesterkin gets the start.

Injuries: Sammy Blais (knee – done for season), Barclay Goodrow (ankle)

Crazy Prediction: Shesty gets the shutout in enemy territory.

Game time is 7pm.