The Rangers are playing their fourth game in six days tonight, as they are in Tampa to face their likely first round opponent. Fatigue is likely going to start becoming a factor, if not tonight, then likely the back to back over the weekend with travel. The schedule makers didn’t make it easy, as this six-in-nine and five-in-seven is against some strong teams.
This is as good a test as any though, as the Rangers will essentially be playing every other night in the playoffs, so getting some heavier work in now against good teams will be good experience. Tampa, a team that looked human for most of the regular season, is still trying to figure things out. They added key pieces at the deadline to shore up depth, but are still playing .500 hockey and allowing more goals than we’re used to seeing.
Still, they are still the Tampa Bay Lightning. Until they sell it all, they need to be respected. This is a potential first round matchup. It’s time to send a message.
Lightning Lines
Brandon Hagel-Brayden Point-Nikita Kucherov
Steven Stamkos-Anthony Cirelli-Anthony Duclair
Michael Eyssimont-Nick Paul-Connor Sheary
Tyler Motte-Luke Glendening-Mitchell Chaffee
Victor Hedman-Darren Raddysh
Nick Perbix-Erik Cernak
Haydn Fleury-Matt Dumba
Andrei Vasilevskiy gets the start
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Will Cuylle-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Matt Rempe
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Braden Schneider
Zac Jones-Erik Gustafsson
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg), Jacob Trouba (lower body)
Crazy Prediction: A win by 5+ goals.
Game time is 7pm.
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